BY INDY MAEALASIA
A weather forecaster of the Meteorology Service in the Ministry for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) is grateful for new national weather forecasting office that was recently opened.
During a tour of the office, senior weather forecaster, Lenny Olea spoke on the difficulties they faced prior to the office and the benefits it brings.
“This is the first time we forecasters have a place or home where we could do our job before that, we usually rent around which is not conducive, now that we have a new place where we can work probably this will also boost worker’s willingness to work,” Olea said.
The Australian funded building is delivered by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and was opened by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and the Minister of MECDM, Stanley Sofu.
Olea said he is grateful to Australia for the funds and promise to put the office to good use.
“I just want to thank the Australian Government for the great funding they have given to the country and we look forward to provide the best service for our country in terms of early warning to reduce disasters and the hazards they cause,” Olea said.
Olea further added that the new office comes with computers and forecasting tools however though the early warning system still needs improvements he said his office hoped this will be fully developed in the future.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Rod Hilton other Australian delegates, the Meteorology Service staff and UNDP officers.
