Senate passes meteorology bill

KIMIHURURA - The Senate Wednesday unanimously passed a bill establishing the National Meteorological Agency with slight changes on the initial proposed draft law. According to the bill, the agency will be charged with collecting data on meteorological elements from around the country and exchange related information in accordance with international agreements to which Rwanda is signatory. “The meteorological agency will be charged with supplying advanced information on unusual weather conditions to the Civil Aviation Authority,” said Senator Agnes Mukabaranga, who presented the amended bill to the Senate. Senator Antoine Mugesera expressed concerns over the agency’s monopoly to feed the CAA with weather information wondering of the possible consequences in case the agency passed inaccurate information. “What would happen in case the agency gives wrong data to CAA?” Mugesera queried. Defending the bill, Sen. Mukabaranga said that this was a case of social responsibility, pointing out that there were punitive measures against such acts. “If there is prejudice, definitely, this agency could be taken to court,” she observed. According to the bill, the agency will partly be charged with centralising, analysing and publishing data and information relating to climate and its change, as well as monitoring, processing and disseminating information relating to aeronautical meteorology. Ends