SLMet Partners with Modcar FM.94.9 in Moyamba District and Jangay Radio FM.99.3 in Bonthe District On Weather And Climate Information Dissemination
The Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMet) is partnering with leading community radios in the dissemination of weather and climate information in both Moyamba and Bonthe Districts, respectively.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SLMet, Radio Modcar and Jangay Radio at their station offices in Moyamba and Mattru Towns on Friday 17th May, 2024 and Monday, 20th May, 2024, the Head of Communications of SLMet, Success Ibrahim Sei Kamara, described the MOU signing between the two radio institutions as one that is worth celebrating because of the potential benefits to the public and the Sierra Leone economy.
“ Accurate weather and climate and early warning information shared with the community and local farmers,targeting mostly Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs), will help boost agriculture, marine life, construction and many other developmental efforts such as recreation; using various media channels like Community Radios helps the public and critical stakeholders in making climate -resilient decisions”.
Continuing, Mr.Kamara said that some people misunderstand the mandate of SLMet, hence the need to partner with print, television, radio stations and other media organizations to help communicate climate and weather information in a timely amd accurate manner.
According to Success Sei Kamara; “ _SLMet does not only do weather forecasting. We also communicate the impact of the forecasts to farmers and other stakeholders. The MOU with the community radios will help us to reach wider audiences through our daily weather forecasts, early warnings, and other climate and weather -related materials ”.
In his closing courtesies, Mr.Kamara on behalf of the Agency said thus; “ _The partnership with Community Radios is coming at the right time as the agency launches its 2024 National Seasonal Outlook with Agro-climatic characteristics and the creation of CMS for the Agency's services.
Presently, he continued, SLMet is disseminating and popularising the report of the 2024 National Seasonal Outlook/Forecast (2024NSOF) to farmers and other stakeholders nationwide. We need the state television(s) and community radios and other media organizations to help broadcast these to the public ”.
On their part, the Station Managers of Radio Modcar FM 94.9 (Alpha M. Lalugba) and Jangay Radio FM 99.3 (Jonathan Bob Junior Omaru) thanked the DG, DDG, and management of SLMet for the warm reception accorded to their team and the offer to enter into partnership especially on climate information efforts.
Speaking further, the production manager of Modcar Radio-Albert Ndolenje, who witnessed the ceremony in Moyamba, had this to say:
" It is an honour to be partnering SLMet in providing broadcast services that will impact positively on the lives of Sierra Leoneans and sectoral players, including farmers. A lot is happening at SLMet under the current leadership, and we are aware and happy to be part of that change
Radio Modcar and Jangay Radio committed their support to SLMet in assisting to communicate widely its activities.
They assured the agency of their continued support and want people to always see Radio Modcar and Jangay Radio as a peaceful and United media where the community can get first-hand information on weather and climate information”.
Present at the MOU signing were SLMet Head of Communications Success Sei Kamara, and other technical staff of the Agency including the *IT Offiicer of the Agency-Alusine Conteh.
Also, the Radio Modcar staff present include Albert Ndolenge- Production Manager and Augustine J. Amara - a reporter; and Jangay Radio Staff Members who witnessed the signing includes John Bosco Kuyateh-Production Manager and Felix A.B Omaru-Board Member.
©️Unit of Public Relations, Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency