Tanzania Metrological Agency (TMA) has signed a Sh11.4 billion contract with American firm – Enterprise Electronics Corporation (EEC) – for the installation of two satellite weather radars in Arusha and Dodoma.
TMA board chairman Buruhani Nyenzi said yesterday that the contract with EEC will bring the total number of satellite weather radars in the country to seven.
The money will not be entirely spent on purchasing the radars. Part of it will be spent on repairing the five [radars] that currently exist in the country’s network in the next 14 months” he said.
Nyenzi explained that the purchased radars have the potential of forecasting from a distance of 450 kilometres.
They also rotate and are capable of collecting weather data, showing results of rain showers within diameter of 500 kilometres.
TMA executive director Agnes Kijazi commended the government for setting aside funds for the procurement of equipment.
She remarked that TMA has managed to meet its target to have seven radars within five years.
“The Kijazi promised to continue working closely with the government in a bid to provide weather forecasts that meet international standards.
Climate change has had a major impact around the world and in the country, locales have witnessed changes in climate systems that have had an impact on seasonal forecasts and catastrophic weather events. With the availability of modern equipment, the radar network will enable the TMA to provide better services for the development of the nationi.
EEC representative Edwin Kisanga, said part of the funds will cover training for TMA experts. The training of local experts will be conducted in the country by experts from EEC.
TMA has so far installed three radars in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza na Mtwara. The agency is also finalising modalities to install more radars in Mbeya and Kigoma.
