By Katalina Siasau
To enhance multi-hazard early warning systems, disaster preparedness and response, Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) is revising its Meteorology Act for the first time since it was established in 2017. They are working in consultation with interested sectors of the community, and hope to introduce the bill to Parliament before June next year.
The work is being done in collaboration and with financial support from the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (WMO-CREWS).
A consultation workshop on the development of the Meteorology (Amendment) Bill and Meteorology Regulations was held yesterday, 27 November, at the FWC Kolomotu’a Hall, in Nuku’alofa.
The workshop aimed to gather views and inputs of various participants on the amendment on the new Meteorology Bill.
“It’s basically to improve the way we work from your respective sectors, how you would see us better coordinating from your point of view,” said the new Director of Meteorology, Mr. Laitia Fifita.
He said their work was becoming increasingly multi-agency and involved multi-systems.
The workshop presented to stakeholders the works that has been done and the first draft of the Meteorology (Amendment) Bill. Tonga Met conducted two similar consultation workshops last week.
Tonga Meteorology Services is a department within the Ministry of MEIDECC.
