SECTION

 21. Exemption from tax.


            PART VI

Provisions relating to Land 

22. Acquisition of land, etc.
23. Power to enter land to make survey, etc.
24. Compensation for damages, etc.

PART VII

Legal Processing

25. Limitation of suits against the Agency, etc.
26. Service of document.
27. Restriction on execution against property of the Agency.
28. Indemnity of officers.
29. Secrecy.

PART VIII

Offences, Penalties and Jurisdiction

30. Offences by body corporate.
31. Power to investigate and impose fines, etc.
32. Jurisdiction.

PART IX

Miscellaneous

33. Dissolution of Meteorological Services Department.
34. Transfer of rights, etc.
35. Obligations and liabilities.
36. Pending or existing proceedings or cause of action.
37. Vesting of assets.
38. Holders of office in the Department to continue in the Agency.
39. Regulations.
40. Interpretation.
41. Short title.

SCHEDULE

Supplementary Provisions relating to the Board, etc. 

NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY
                 (ESTABLISHMENT, ETC.) ACT

An Act to establish the Nigerian Meteorological Agency; and for related matters.
[2003 No.9.]

[19th June, 2003]

[Commencement.]

PART I

Establishment of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency

1. Establishment of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency

(1) There is established a body to be known as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency

(in this Act referred to as "the Agency").

(2) The Agency-

       (a)       shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal;

       (b)       may sue or be sued in its corporate name; and

       (c)       shall acquire, hold or dispose of property, whether movable or immovable.

PART II

Establishment and Membership of the Governing Board

2. Establishment and membership of the Governing Board 

(1) There is established for the Agency a Governing Board (in this Act referred to as

"the Board") which shall be constituted and have the functions set out in this Act.

(2) The Board shall consist of-

       (a)       a part-time chairman;

       (b)       one representative of the Federal Ministry of Aviation;

       (c)        one representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

       (d)       one representative of the Federal Ministry of Transport;

       (e)        one representative of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources;

       (f)        one representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment;

      (g)      two other persons to represent public interest and who shall be persons who
                possess cognate experience in meteorological matters; and

       (h)       the Director-General of the Agency.

(3) The Chairman and other members of the Board shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent directly or on the recommendation of the Minister.

PART III

Functions of the Agency

7. Functions of the Agency
   (1) The Agency shall-

       (a)       advise the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology;

       (b)       project, prepare and interpret Government policy in the field of meteorology;

        (c)       issue weather forecasts for the safe operation of aircrafts, ocean going vessels
                   and oil rigs;

       (d)      promote the services of meteorology in agricultural, drought and desertification activities;

       (e)       provide meteorological services in operational hydrology and water resources activities;

      (f)        provide weather services in marine, environmental pollution and bio-
                 meteorology for climatic and human health activities;

      (g)      subject to regulation by the Nigerian Communications Commission, provide
                 and operate telecommunications systems for meteorological purposes only;

       (h)       proffer advice to the Federal and State Government on seismological activities;

       (i)        collect, process and disseminate all meteorological data and information within
                  and outside Nigeria;

       (j)        keep in safe custody all meteorological records in the National Meteorological Archive;

       (k)       ensure uniform standards of observation of all meteorological phenomena in Nigeria;

        (l)        ensure that international standards and practices in meteorological operations are maintained;

        (m)      train, conduct and undertake research particularly in the field of tropical, 
                    agricultural, hydro and marine meteorology and other related areas of meteorology;

       (n)       provide consultancy services to the public on meteorology;

       (o)      monitor meteorological components of environmental pollution and ozone concentration;

       (p)       calibrate, develop and fabricate meteorological conventional equipment for
                  export and internal use;

      (q)      be the sole authority to approve and establish meteorological stations for meteorological observations; and

      (r)       carry out other activities as are necessary and expedient for the full discharge
                of any of its functions under or pursuant to this Act.

PART IV

Staff of the Agency

8. Director-General of the Agency

(1) There shall be for the Agency a Director-General who shall be appointed by the
President on the recommendation of the Minister and on such terms and conditions as
may be specified in his letter of appointment or as may be determined, from time to time,
by the Government of the Federation.

(2) The Director-General shall be-

       (a)       the Chief Executive and accounting officer of the Agency;

       (b)       responsible to the Board for the day-to-day administration of the Agency;

       (c)       appointed for a term of five years in the first instance and may, subject to satis-
                  factory performance, be reappointed for one further term of five years and no
                  more; and

       (d)       a person who possesses relevant and adequate professional qualifications in a
                   senior management cadre and shall have been so qualified for a period of not
                  less than 15 years.

(3) The Director-General shall be the permanent representative of Nigeria in the
World Meteorological Organisation in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 6 of
the Basic Documents of the World Meteorological Organisation Publication Number 15.

9. Principal officers of the Agency

The other principal officers of the Agency shall be-

       (a)       Director, Weather Forecast Services;

       (b)       Director, Applied Meteorological Services;

       (c)        Director, Meteorological Research and Training;

       (d)       Director of Finance;

       (e)        Director of Administration; and

       (f)        Director of Engineering and Technical Services.

10. Functions of the Directorate

The Agency shall have-

       (a)        Weather Forecasting Services Directorate for the services-

(i) the collation, supply and archiving of climatological data in general;

(ii)   daily provision of climatological data including weather forecasts, 
actual weather and weather trends to incoming and out-going aircraft at
all airports;

(iii)   daily provision of climatological data including weather forecasts,
warnings and advice to the general public through radio, television and
general mass media;

(iv)   provision of basic and specific weather information and other climatological
data needed for commercial, industrial and agricultural purposes, including purposes
of private and public agencies and individuals whose respective business are affected
by climatological variations; and

(v)   the formulations and implementation of policies, regulations and guidelines as are 
specifically related to climatology;

(b)        Applied Meteorological Services Directorate for the services-

(i)   the formulation and implementation of meteorological policies, regulations
and guidelines as are related specifically to the fields of Hydro-
meteorology, Agro-meteorology and Marine Meteorology;

(ii)   the provision of such services as are related to or connected with any or
all of the three meteorological fields listed in subparagraph (i) of this
paragraph;

(iii)   the dissemination of meteorological data as may specifically be related
to or connected with any or all of the meteorological fields listed in
subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and

(iv)     the execution of such other meteorological duties or services as the
Board may, from time to time, specify;

(c)        Meteorological Research and Training Directorate for the services-

(i)   the conduct and standard and consistent meteorological research;
(ii)     the training of all classes of meteorologists;

(iii)   the provision of regular training for all categories of Agency staff;
(iv)     the provision of consultancy services in the field of meteorology;
(v)     the execution and satisfaction of the research and training requirements
of the Agency in general; 
(vi)     the conduct of such other research or training activities as the Board
may, from time to time, direct;

(d)        Engineering and Technical Services Directorate for the services-

(i)   the provision of Building and Civil Engineering Services;
(ii)    the provision of Mechanical Engineering Services;

(iii)    the provision of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Services;
(iv)     the provision, development and maintenance of information and 
communication technology infrastructure and services;
(v)    instrument design, fabrication and calibration;
(vi)   the provision of consultancy services specifically related to or
connected with meteorological engineering; and
(vii)     the general maintenance of movable and immovable assets of the
Agency;

      (e)        Finance and Accounts Directorate for the services-

(i)   funds generation and management;

(ii)  the filing of appropriate financial returns with relevant government authorities;

(iii)   the preparation and submission of financial statements and reports;

(iv)    the provision of financial advice to management as appropriate;

(v)    the disbursement of funds for capital and recurrent expenditure of the
Agency; and

(vi)    the preparation of  budget and the keeping of the Agency accounts;

      (f )      Administration Directorate for the services-

(i)    the appointment, promotion, supervision and discipline of staff of the Agency;

(ii)   staff welfare;
(iii)    the supply of stationery, household and office equipment and materials;
and
(iv)    the maintenance of the inventory of Agency assets, equipment and
materials.

11. Appointment of Secretary

The Board shall appoint for the Agency a Secretary and Legal Adviser who shall-

(a)      be a legal practitioner and shall have been so qualified for a period of not less
than 12 years;

      ( b)       be of Director status;

       (c)        be responsible for keeping the books and proper records of proceedings and

correspondences of the Board and the upkeep of the records of the Agency;

       (d)       administer and discharge all legal obligations of the Agency;

       (e)        administer and discharge all insurance requirements of the Agency

        (f)       retain external legal services on behalf of the Agency as he may deem necessary or expedient; and

        (g)       perform such other functions as the Board or the Director-General, as the case
                    may be, may from time to time, assign to him.

12. Other employees of the Agency

(1) The Board shall appoint for the Agency such officers and other employees as it
may, from time to time, deem necessary for the purposes of the Agency.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Board
may appoint persons as employees of the Agency, either by way of transfer or secondment 
from any of the public services in the Federation or otherwise, as it considers necessary.

13. Pensions, etc.

(1) The service in the Agency shall be approved service for the purposes of the Pensions
Act and, accordingly, employees of the Agency shall be entitled to pensions, gratuities and 
other retirement benefits as are prescribed under the Pensions Act.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. P4.]

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, nothing in this
Act shall prevent the appointment of a person to any office on terms which preclude the
grant of a pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits in respect of that office.

(3) For the purposes of the application of the provisions of the Pensions Act, any
power exercisable by a Minister or other authority of the Federal Government, other than
the power to make regulations under section 23 of the Pensions Act, is hereby vested in
and shall be exercisable by the Board and not by any other person or authority.

PART V

Financial Provisions

14. Fund of the Agency

There is established for the Agency a fund into which shall be paid and credited-

       (a)       all subventions and budgetary allocations from the Federal Government;

       (b)       gifts, loans, grants-in-aid from national, bilateral and multilateral agencies;

       (c)        fines payable for violation of meteorological regulations;

       (d)       returns on investments made by the Agency;

       (e)        10 percent of landing charges from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria;

        (f)         10 percent of en-route and over flight charges from the Nigerian Airspace
                     Management Agency;

         (g)        10 percent of the 5 percent sales tax surcharged on tickets by the Nigerian
                      Civil Aviation Authority;

          (h)        fees, charges and funds, approved by the Board in respect of services provided
                      by the Agency in the following-

(i)   rendering of climatic information;
                    (ii)     provisions of agricultural, marine and aeronautical meteorological services;

(iii)    exhibition and sale of meteorological equipment;

(iv)    production and sale of books, pamphlets, bulletins, etc., on meteorological services;

(v)   provision of consultancy services on meteorology;

(vi)    rents and fees received from the use of properties owned by the
Agency; and

(vii)    such moneys as may be received by the Agency in the course of its
 operations or in relation to the exercise by the Agency of any of its
 functions under this Act.

15. Expenditure of the Agency

The Agency may, from time to time, apply the proceeds of the fund established under
section 13 of this Act-

                              (a)       to the cost of administration of the Agency;

              (b)      to the payment of the emoluments, allowances and benefits of members of the
Board and for reimbursing members of the Board or of any committee of the
Board and for such expenses as may be expressly authorised by the Board;

              (c)       to the payment of the salaries, fees or other remuneration or allowances, 
gratuities and pensions, and other benefits payable to the offices and other employees of
the Agency, provided that no payment of any kind under this para-
graph (except such as may be expressly authorised by the Board) shall be made
to any person who is, within the relevant period, in receipt of emoluments from
the Federal or State Government;

                             (d)         for the development and maintenance of any property vested in or owned by
                 the Agency;

                             (e)        publicise and promote the activities of the Agency; and

             (f)       undertake such activities as are in connection with all or any of its functions
                       under this Act.

16. Annual estimates and accounts

(1) The Agency shall, not later than 30th September in each year, submit to the Minister an estimate of its 
expenditure and income (including payments to the Agency's fund) for the next succeeding year.

(2) The Agency shall keep proper accounts in respect of each year and proper records
in relation to those accounts and shall cause its accounts to be audited within six months
after the end of each year by auditors appointed from the list and in accordance with the
guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

17. Annual reports                               

The Agency shall prepare and submit to the Federal Executive Council, through the
Minister, not later than six months after the end of each year, a report in such form as he
may direct on the activities of the Agency during the immediately proceeding year, and
shall include in the report a copy of the audited accounts of the Agency for that year and
the auditor's report on the accounts.

(1) The Agency may accept any gift of land, money or other property on such terms
and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the person or organisation making the gift.

(2) The Agency shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the person or
organisation making the gift are inconsistent with the functions of the Agency under this
Act.

19. Power to borrow

(1) The Agency may, from time to time, borrow by way of overdraft or otherwise
such sums as it may require for the performance of its functions under this Act.

(2) The Agency shall not, without the approval of the Board, borrow money which
exceeds, at any time, the amount set by the Government as the limit of the Authority of
the Agency.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, where the sum to
be borrowed is in foreign currency, the Agency shall not borrow the sum without the
prior approval of the Board through the Minister.

20. Investment in securities

The Agency may, subject to the provisions of this Act and the conditions of any trust
created in respect of any property, invest all or any of its funds in any security prescribed
by the Trustee Investments Act or in such other securities as may, from time to time, be
approved by the Minister.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. T22.]

21. Exemption from tax

(1) The Agency shall be exempted from the payment of income tax on any income
accruing from investments made by the Board for the Agency or otherwise howsoever.

(2) The provisions of any enactment relating to the taxation of companies or trust
funds shall not apply to the Agency or the Board.

PART VI

Provisions relating to Land

22. Acquisition of land, etc.

(1) The Agency may, subject to the Land Use Act, acquire any land for the purpose
of discharging its functions under this Act.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. L5.]

(2) If there is any hindrance to the acquisition of any land by the Agency under this
Act (including any failure by the Agency to reach an agreement as to the amount to be
paid in respect of the acquisition) the Agency may apply to the Minister for declaration
under subsection (3) of this section.

(3) The Minister on receiving an application from the Agency and after such inquiry
as he may think fit, may request the Governor of the State in which the land is situated to
declare that the land is required for the service of the Agency and accordingly for an
over-riding public purpose.

(5) Where a declaration has been made under subsection (3) of this section in respect
of any land and-

(a)       the land has been acquired pursuant to subsection (4) of this section; or

(b)      the Governor of the State concerned is satisfied that there are no rights subsisting in respect of the land,
the Governor of the State may vest the land in the Agency by issuing a certificate of occupancy in respect thereof 
in favour of and in the name of the Agency.

(6) The compensation, if any, payable under the Land Use Act for the revocation of
any rights relating to the land, where applicable, shall in the first instance be paid by the
Federal Government, but the Agency shall refund to the Government any compensation
so paid and all incidental expenses incurred by the Federal Government.

(7) The plan of any land referred to in subsection (2) of this section-

       (a)       containing the measurement of the boundaries of the land;

       (b)       showing the relationship of the land to any sufficient identifying mark; and

       (c)        signed by the Surveyor-General,
                   shall be a sufficient description of the land for the purpose of application under that subsection.

(8) The Agency shall not, without the prior approval in writing of the Governor of the
State in which the land is situated, alienate, mortgage, charge or otherwise demise any
immovable property which has been vested in the Agency under this section or in respect
of which a right of occupancy has been granted to the Agency.

23. Power to enter land to make survey, etc.

(1) Subject to this section, the Agency may by its offices, employees, workmen or
agents enter, from time to time, upon any land for the purpose of the discharge of any of
the functions of the Agency under this Act and, in particular, may enter upon any such
land for the purpose of-

             (a)       inspecting and examining lands, buildings and equipment of meteorological
out stations;

               (b)       inspecting and examining accounts, records and memoranda required to be
kept by meteorological out stations;

               (c)       cutting down and removing a tree, underwood or structures that may interfere
with surveys and any installation which constitute hindrance to meteorological climate.

(2) The Agency shall, when practicable, serve on the occupiers of any land on which
it intends to enter pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, a notice in writing giving
description of the nature of the work intended to be carried out on the land.

24. Compensation for damages, etc.

(l) In the exercise of the power conferred upon it by section 22 of this Act, the
Agency, its offices, employees, workmen or agents shall do as little damage as may be
necessary and the Agency shall pay compensation for any damage done to any building,
crops and economic trees.

(2) In the case of dispute as to the amount of compensation payable, the same shall
be determined by a magistrate or district judge exercising jurisdiction in the place where
the land is situated or the High Court within whose area of jurisdiction the land is situated,
as the case may require, and such decision shall be final and binding.

PART VII

Legal Processing

25. Limitation of suits against the Agency, etc.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Act shall 
apply in relation to any suit instituted against an officer or employee of the Agency.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. P41.]

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any enactment, no suit
against the Agency, members of the Board, Director-General or any employee shall lie or
be instituted in respect of any act done in pursuance to or in execution of the functions,
powers and public duties prescribed under this Act, or in an action in contract tort or
howsoever unless it is commenced-

                              (a)       within three months next after the act, neglect or default complained of; or

              (b)      in the case of a continuation of damage or injury, within six months next after
                        the ceasing thereof.

(3) No suit shall be commenced against a member of the Board, the Director-General
or any other officer or employee of the Agency before the expiration of a period of one
month after written notice of the intention to commence the suit shall have been served
on the Agency by the intending plaintiff or his agent.

(4) The notice referred to in subsection (3) of this section shall clearly and explicitly
state the cause of action, the particulars of the claim, the name and place of abode of the
intending plaintiff and the relief which he claims.

26. Service of document

A notice, summons or other document required or authorised to be served on the
Agency under the provisions of this Act or any other law or enactment may be served by
delivering it to the Director-General or by sending it by registered post addressed to the
Director-General at the principal office of the Agency.

(l) In any action or suit against the Agency, no execution or attachment of process in
any nature thereof shall be issued against the Agency unless not less than three months
notice of the intention to execute or attached as been given to the Agency.

(2) Any sum of money which may be the judgment of any court be awarded against
the Agency shall, subject to any direction given by the court where notice of appeal
against the judgment has been given, be paid from the fund of the Agency.

28. Indemnity of officers

A member of the Board, the Director-General or any officer or employee of the
Agency shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Agency against any liability incurred
by him in defending any proceeding, whether civil or criminal, if the proceeding is
brought against him in his capacity as a member, Director-General, officer or employee
of the Agency.

29. Secrecy

(1) A member of the Board or the Director-General or any other officer or employee
of the Agency shall-

       (a)       not, for his personal gain, make use of any information which has come to his
knowledge in the exercise of his powers or is obtained by him in the ordinary
course of his duty as a member of the Board or as the Director-General, officer
or employee of the Agency;

      (b)                     treat as confidential any information which has come to his knowledge in the
exercise of his powers or is obtained by him in the performance of his duties
under this Act; and

       (c)        not disclose any information referred to under paragraph (b) of this subsection,
except when required to do so by a court or in such other circumstances as may
be prescribed by the Board, from time to time.

(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) of this section
commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N20,000 or 
imprisonment for a term no exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

PART VIII  

Offences, Penalties and Jurisdiction

30. Offences by body corporate

(l) Where an offence under this Act which has been committed by a body corporate
is proved to have been committed on the instigation or with the connivance of, or be 
attributable to any neglect on the part of a director, manager, secretary, head of branch or
project manager or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person purporting
to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate, where practicable, shall be
deemed to have committed that offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished
accordingly.

       (b)       in the case of the body corporate, be liable to a fme of no less than N50,000.

31. Power to investigate and impose fines, etc.

(1) The Agency shall after notice and hearing the complaint or on its own initiative
and investigation determine whether any person is violating any provision of this Act,
regulation, rules or orders made thereunder.

(2) If the Agency is satisfied after such hearing that such a person is violating any
provisions of this Act, regulations, rules or orders, as the case may be, it shall by order
require the person to take such action consistent with the provisions of this Act, regulations,
rules or orders, as may be necessary in the opinion of the Agency to prevent further
violation of the provisions of this Act, regulations, rules or orders.

32. Jurisdiction

The Federal High Court shall have jurisdiction to try offences committed under this Act.

PART IX

Miscellaneous

33. Dissolution of Meteorological Services Department

The body known and referred to as "the Meteorological Services Department" in the
Federal Ministry of Aviation (in this section referred to as "the Department") is hereby
consequently dissolved.

34. Transfer of rights, etc.

(1) Accordingly, the statutory functions, rights, interests, obligations and liabilities of
the Department, existing before the commencement of this Act under any contract or instrument, 
or in law or in equity shall by virtue of this Act be deemed to have been as-
signed to and vested in the Agency established by this Act.

(2) Any such contract or instrument as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this section
shall be of the same force and effect against or in favour of the Agency established by
this Act and shall be enforceable as fully and effectively as if instead of the Department
existing before the commencement of this Act the Agency established by this Act had
been named therein or had been a party thereto.

35. Obligations and liabilities 

The Agency established by this Act shall be subject to all the obligations and liabilities
to which the Department existing before the commencement of this Act was subject
to immediately before the commencement of this Act and all other persons shall have the
same rights, powers and remedies against the Agency established by this Act as they had
against the Department existing before the commencement of this Act.

 
36. Pending or existing proceedings or cause of action

Any proceeding or cause of action pending or existing immediately before the commencement
of this Act by or against the Department existing before the commencement
of this Act in respect of any right, interest, obligation or liability of the Department existing before 
the commencement of this Act may be continued or, as the case may be, commenced and any 
determination of the court of law, tribunal or other authority or person
may be enforced by or against the Agency established by this Act to the same extent that
such proceeding or cause of action or determination might have been continued, commenced or 
enforced by or against the Department existing before the commencement of this Act.

37. Vesting of assets

All assets, funds, resources and other movable or immovable property which immediately
before the commencement of this Act where vested in the Department existing before the 
commencement of this Act shall by virtue of this Act and without further assurance, be vested
in the Agency established by this Act.

38. Holders of office in the Department to continue in the Agency

Any person who immediately before the coming into force of this Act is the holder of
any office in the Department existing before the commencement of this Act shall on the
commencement of this Act continue in office and be deemed to have been appointed to
his office by the Agency established by this Act, unless the authority by which the person
was appointed terminates the appointments.

39. Regulations

The Board may make such regulations as in its opinion are necessary or expedient
for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and for the due administration of its
provisions.

40. Interpretation
(1) In this Act-

"aeronautical services" includes information, direction and other facilities furnished,
issued or provided in connection with meteorological forecasts or data;

"Agency" means the Nigerian Meteorological Agency;

"Agro-meteorology" means the application of meteorological information and data
in the monitoring and management of agricultural activities;

"airport" has the meaning assigned to it by section 17 of the Civil Aviation Act;

"Board" means the Governing Board of the Agency established under section 2 (1)
of this Act;

"Government" means Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

"Hydro-meteorology" means the application of meteorological information and data
in the monitoring and management of water resources;

"marine meteorology" means meteorology as applied by ocean activities;

"Marine-meteorology" means the application of meteorological information and
data in the monitoring and management of coastal, ocean transportation, fisheries and all
other marine activities ecosystem;

"member" means a member of the Board and includes the Chairman;

"meteorology" means the study dealing with the phenomena of the atmosphere;

"Minister" means the Minister charged with the responsibility of matters relating to
Aviation and "Ministry" shall be construed accordingly;

"Policy and guidelines" means policy and guidelines made for the administration of
the functions of the Agency;

"power" includes functions and duties;

"premises" includes lands, plants and ancillary works;

"President" means the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

"Regulations" means rules that may be established by the Agency, from time to time,
for the administration and regulation of meteorological services in Nigeria;

"seismological activities" means application of meteorological information and data
in the monitoring of earthquakes and tremor and other earth related activities;

"weather" means the state of the atmosphere which consists of the short-term minutes 
to months variation of the atmosphere.

(2) Every other term shall have the same meaning as contained in the Basic Documents 
of the World Meteorological Organisation.

41. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment, etc.)
Act, 2003.

SCHEDULE
[Section 2 (3).]

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE BOARD, ETC.

Proceedings of the Board

1. Subject to this Act and section 27 of the Interpretation Act (which provides for decision of
a statutory body to be taken by a majority of its members for the person presiding at any
meeting, when a vote is ordered, to have a second or casting vote), the Board may make standing
orders regulating its proceedings or that of any of its committees.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. 123.]

2. At every meeting of the Board, the Chairman shall preside and in his absence the members
present at that meeting shall appoint one of them to preside at the meeting.

3. The quorum at a meeting of a Board shall consist of the Chairman or, in an appropriate
case, the person presiding at the meeting pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Schedule, and four
other members.

4. The Board shall for the purpose of this Act, meet not less than four times in each year and
subject thereto, the Board shall meet whenever it is summoned by the Chairman, and if required
to do so, by notice given to him by not less than four other members, he shall summon
a meeting of the Board to be held within 14 days from the date on which the notice is given.

5. Where the Board desires to obtain the advice of any person on a particular matter, the
Board may co-opt him to the Board for such period as it thinks fit, but a person who is a
member by virtue of this subparagraph shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
Board and shall not count towards a quorum.

6. A member of the Board who is directly or indirectly interested in any matter being deliberated
on by the Board, or is interested in any contract made or proposed to be made by the
Agency shall, as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to his knowledge disclose
the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Board.

7. A disclosure under this paragraph shall be recorded in the minutes of meetings of the
Board and the member concerned shall-

                (a)     not, after the disclosure, take part in any deliberation or decision of the Board;
and

                (b)     be excluded for the purpose of constituting a quorum of any meeting of the
Board of any deliberating or decision, with regard to the subject matter in respect of which
his interest is so disclosed.

Committees

8. (1) Subject to its standing orders, the Board may appoint such number of standing or ad
hoc Committees as it thinks fit to consider and report on any matter with which the Agency is
concerned.

(2) A committee appointed under this paragraph shall-

                (a)    consist of such number of persons (not necessarily members of the Board as
may be determined by the Board) and a person other than a member of the
Board, shall hold office on the committee in accordance with the terms of his
appointment; and

                        (b)     be presided over by a member of the Board.

(3) The quorum of any committee set up by Board shall be as may be determined by the Board.

Miscellaneous

9. The fixing of the seal of the Agency shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chairman or any 
other person generally or specifically authorised by the Board to act for that purpose and that of the Director-General.

11. Any document purporting to be a contract, instrument or other document duly signed or
sealed on behalf of the Agency shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is
proved be presumed without further proof to have been so signed or sealed.

12. The validity of any proceedings of the Board or any of its committees shall not be  affected by-

                (a)  any vacancy in the membership of the Board or committee; or

                (b)  any defect in the appointment of a member of the Board or committee; or

                (c)   reason that any person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings of the
                        Board or committee.

13. A member of a committee who has a personal interest in any contract or arrangement
entered into or proposed to be considered by the committee shall forthwith disclose his interest 
to the committee and shall not vote on any question relating to the contract or arrangement.

14. No member of the Board shall be personally liable for any act or omission done or made
in good faith while engaged on the business of the Agency.

                                       SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

                                    No Subsidiary Legislation