Samoa’s Meteorology Services is hopeful that the expected passage of new legislation will strengthen the role of their meteorology service.

The Meteorology Bill will be tabled in Parliament in its next sitting later this year. 

The service's Assistant CEO, Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea, said the Bill provides legislative power to the work and responsibilities of the Met Office. 

He said the Attorney General’s Office is now finalising the draft for tabling in Parliament. 

“The Bill, once it is passed in Parliament, will allow us to carry out our work more effectively,” he said in a phone interview. 

During the Fifth Pacific Meteorology Council meeting that concluded on Friday, Mulipola highlighted Samoa’s achievements and developments in the Met Service. 

“Samoa’s meteorology and hydrology services will continue to grow its capacity because of the increasing interest in climate change and its impact on the region,” he told the Samoa Observer. 

“Climate information has improved over the past two years with the implementation of the Pacific Roadmap for Strengthened Climate Services, as well as support from the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (C.O.S.P.Pac).”

He said their current work focuses on using data to help the different economic sectors in Samoa. 

“We are also continuing work on science services by applying science to the different sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, by providing data and products for them,” said Mulipola. 

“We already have a flood forecasting system in place and we are working with the water resources division to make the system more robust, timely and accurate flooding system in Samoa. 

“The improvement is through the use of models such as rainfall data.” 

Mulipola said in the Marine Ocean Services they are looking to conduct capacity building with the assistance of the World Meteorology Organisation. 

“This is in the areas of aviation by providing route forecast and terminal aerodrome forecast.” 

Mulipola was one of the recipients of the Long Service Award along with other recipients from the region during the inaugural Pacific Meteorological Council (P.M.C.) awards this week at the Taumeasina Island Resort. 

The award recognises the commitment and work each recipient has contributed to their country also at the regional level. 

Mulipola, who has worked in Samoa’s Meteorology Service for 40 years, said the award means a lot to him especially for his country. 

“I put first the safety of my people and country. So with this award and recognition I hope we can provide enough information to help the people better prepare for natural disasters.”