Government has assured the Nadi Meteorological Office (weather office) of its intentions to upgrade equipment and technology to enhance the work being done by the office.
Minister for Works, Transportation and Public Utilities Commander Timoci Lesi Natuva made the announcement during the World Meteorological Day celebrations at the Nadi weather office today.
Celebrations were attended by weather experts, business houses, aviation industry heads and students from schools in the Western Division.
Commander Natuva said the investment by Government would further boost the work by the office which also served the pacific region.
"Government in the next few years will invest heavily in upgrading and improving technological equipment to assist the office with fundamental good network of weather and climate observing systems," he said.
"This is a result of the varying user demands and requirements through the years, which have dictated these changes and the continuous upgrade of the Fiji Meteorological Services information and computing technology infrastructure, but in compliance to international standards."
With the theme: "Watching the weather to protect life and property", Natuva believes the theme captures the importance of World Weather Watch – a foundation programme of the World Meteorological Organisation since its inception 50 years ago.
"This theme is relevant to Fiji's context, punctuated by an increasing frequency of extreme weather and climate events such as tropical cyclone, droughts and floods," Minister Natuva said.
He also urged Fijians to take heed of warnings and alert messages provided by the Nadi Weather Office.
"We in Fiji have an important role to play in ensuring we contribute positively in mitigating towards the theme of this year's celebration,” the minister said.
Minister Natuva also toured the weather office talking to staff and getting first hand information of the challenges faced by weather experts in Nadi.
School students and members of the public were also given an inside view of the weather office where their questions were answered and queries clarified.
Meteorological Services director Alipate Waqaicelua welcomed the announcement by the minister saying it would greatly benefit their work.
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