Officials at the Rwanda meteorological centre are optimistic that the over Rwf 2.3bn budget the centre received in the current fiscal year will help boost its performance, John Ntaganda, its coordinator has said.

In an interview The New Times, yesterday, Ntaganda said that the funds will help the centre perform better.
"Our priority is capacity building because we deal in scientific matters which need accuracy,” Ntaganda said from his Gitega-based office.

The centre has been in place for many years, but started to publish weather forecasts and other meteorological services only recently.

The budget is expected to help build the capacity of staff members, recruit more qualified personnel, and procure equipment used to collect meteorological data across the country.

At least 190 stations are helping to record data on rainfall, weather parameters, temperatures, wind, sunshine and clouds around the country.

The stations include 10 automatic weather stations whose equipment are stationed in rural areas, which record and automatically transmit data to the headquarters in Kigali.
There are also 24-hour synoptic/agro-meteorological stations which detect levels of atmospheric picture of the country, Ntaganda said.

He added that, a satellite receiver has been acquired which will ensure more accuracy in detecting the atmospheric picture both in Rwanda and around the world.

The official said that, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, the centre plans to improve the performance of weather stations across the country, to have regular and reliable data on weather changes for farming purposes.

According to Ntaganda, there is a need to establish professionalism in areas of agro- meteorology, hydrometeorology, forecasting, prediction services and data management, in order for meteorological products to meaningfully support sustainable development.

Weather and climate information provide technical guidance for agriculture, livestock development, food security, transport, health and public safety, construction, disaster management, water resources management, among others.

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