​Weather service operations to be disrupted

The Papua New Guinea National Weather Service operations could be disrupted.

This is due to plans to scale down operations.

A notice was issued to all aviation and shipping industries, statutory bodies, corporate entities, stakeholders, NGOs, media and the general public on Monday.

It stated that due to internal matters, the PNGNWS will be trimming down its operational hours from a 24 hour operation to eight normal working hours by 4:06pm, Wednesday, May 3, if its grievances are not met.

Hence, this will promptly shutdown the operation on weekends.

This will be inclusive of weather and climate products issued at the headquarters in Port Moresby and those from the other operational stations within the provinces.

The services that will be affected are aviation forecasting, station observation, public weather forecasting and warning and other timely required weather and climate advisories and warnings.

The notice also stated that the disruption of services will be for an indefinite period until such time the grievances of PNGNWS employees are met.

The 68 workers across the country ask for a tangible resolution to be reached between PNGNWS and the Department of Transport.

The PNGNWS Working Committee members will meet on Wednesday regarding this and a further notice will be served, that will be effective as of 4:06pm on the same day.

Author: 
Quintina Naime