Vision 2063: AUC to partner with institutions on infrastructure deficit

The African Union Commission (AUC), says it will partner with institutions and organizations that have the capacity to fix the infrastructure deficit on the continent to ensure realization of its Vision 2063 Goal.
The Senior Technical Advisor, Department of Trade and Industry, AUC, Dr Oswald Chinyamakabru, said this at the 2018 Intra-Africa Meteorology System (AFRIMET) General Assembly in Enugu, South-Eastern Nigeria.
Chinyamakabru said that the AU was committed to achieving the 2063 goal aimed at reducing poverty significantly in member countries.
He said member nations were encouraged to develop critical sectors of their economies that would support the continental vision.
According to him, AFRIMET by its activities is a worthy partner that the union cannot afford to neglect:
“AFRIMET is an important partner in the development of the continent because meteorology will enable Africa stay competitive in the global economy.”
Chinyamakabru congratulated Nigeria on hosting the continental event, adding that the country had shown much commitment in ensuring that the continental vision was achieved.
Earlier, the Director-General of Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr Osita Aboloma, said that the meeting would enable stakeholders brainstorm on the science of measurement, accuracy and traceability.
Aboloma said that the hosting of the meeting was a further boost to the awareness creation of the benefits of meteorology in driving the National Quality Infrastructure project.
“We have over the last three decades made huge investments into developing human capacities in the field of meteorology with encouragement from development partners.
“However, we still require a lot more trainings to update the capacities of staff of the National Meteorology Institute (NMI),”  he said.
Aboloma said that meteorology services hold a lot of benefits for the Nigerian economy and the welfare of the people.
He said that the NMI in Enugu would become functional before the end of 2018.
Aboloma also appealed to Enugu State Government to support efforts of SON by constructing the road leading to the institute, which he said was in deplorable condition:
“The road is presently in a very bad state and almost impassable during rainy seasons.”
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, Governing Council of SON, Mr Akpan Edet, said that AFRIMET had a noble objective which includes creating awareness in the science of accurate measurement in Africa.
Edet said the organization would also promote equity in trade as well as foster competitiveness and quality in the manufacturing sector in order to promote trade and commerce.
He said that the ongoing development of the NMI in Enugu was a demonstration that the Nigerian government was committed to the establishment of a virile national measurement system.
The event was attended by delegates Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Sudan, Rwanda, and Swaziland, among others.
Amaka E. Nliam