Papua New Guinea has handed over the Aviation Service to the Solomon Islands Metrological Service last week.
This, according to director David Hiriasi, was an additional achievement by the Solomon Islands Met Service in addition to the opening of the Tingoa Met Office.
Hiriasia described the achievements as a millstone history for them.
“Another milestone history achievement is the handing over of Aviation Services from the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service (PNG NWS) to the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service.
“These services were handed to PNG NWS during the height of the ethnic crisis when resources become scarce and the capability of SIMS was compromised.”
He added that the work towards the formal taking over these responsibilities have actually taken SIMS almost two years.
“The work towards the formal taking over these responsibilities has actually taken SIMS almost two years as there are international standards that we need to satisfy before we can assume these responsibilities and one of these is capacity development for weather forecasters.”
He commended the World Meteorological Organisation for the training his staff undertaken.
“Thanks to the World Meteorological Organization and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the very much needed training was conducted in 2014. In April of 2015, SIMS and PNG NWS signed a Memorandum of Agreement in Honiara after which communication of aviation forecasts were trialed for almost 2 weeks.
“SIMS would also like to acknowledge the support given by PNG NWS for the past years in ensuring that these important services continue.”
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
