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               Why acid rain may not occur in Nigeria — MET

The Manager, Nigeria Metrological Centre, Calabar, Cross River state, Mr. Effiom Effiong, has debunked rumours of impending acid rain in Nigeria, explaining that the disaster might not occur because of the country's peculiar geographical location and industrial status.

He said that the only areas susceptible to acid rain are highly unindustrialised countries where large quantity of acidic chemical is emitted into the atmosphere.

Effiong's reaction which was contained in a statement made available to our correspondent in Calabar came against the backdrop of rising tension in Nigeria as a result of fears of possible acidic rainfall.

Our correspondent observed that the last rainfall in Calabar caused panic in people who took desperate measures to protect themselves from raindrops.

But the statement which originated from the office of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency quoted Effiong as dispelling such fears and encouraging people to view each rainfall as normal.

Also, the statement which was signed by SEMA's Assistant Director, Information, Mr. Dave Akate, attributed the recent hazy atmosphere to the North-East trade wind blowing across the Sahara Desert and carrying dusty particles.

He said the particles might make initial rains to be unusually dirty, assuring that the Nigerian Metrological Agency has not recorded any imminent acid rain in all its weather stations across the country.

He added that weather monitoring stations have been established in some parts of the state to capture disaster-related data.

Effiong was quoted to have held the position when officials of SEMA led by its Director-General, Mr. Vincent Aquah, paid him a courtesy visit.

SEMA had met with the meteorological agency to seek collaboration on how to tackle recurrent cases of natural disasters in the state.