NEMA boss assures FG support to disaster-affected Nigerians

By: Kehinde Akintola – Abuja

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director General Mustapha Habib Ahmed on Monday instructed heads of all NEMA area and operations offices to work with the 36 National Management Agencies Emergencies (SEMA) to conduct joint assessments in disaster-affected communities for federal review and support.

Mr. Ahmed, who issued the notice in response to recurring fires across the country, said he was gravely concerned about the losses experienced by some communities and markets.

He said, "It is common knowledge that the unfortunate incidents have been characterized by the complete destruction of residential buildings, markets and other public buildings, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihoods.< /p>

"Fire, like any other disaster, is a part of human existence, but the frequency and impacts of recent weeks have prompted grave concern and a call for action from all stakeholders , including communities and individuals, to cope with the growing losses from the disaster.

"In December last year, I had the opportunity to alert the public to the dangers of fires during the dry season. As with the start of the dry season, the current start of the The rains are also characterized by typical windstorms which easily spread combustible materials in the form of dry vegetation and agricultural wastes are a strong engine of the fires.

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“The best firefighting technique is prevention. The best way to prevent a fire is to raise awareness and develop a culture of safety and resilience among authorities, communities and individual members of the public.< /p>

"As part of our responsibility to save lives and protect property, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has found it necessary to call upon all stakeholders, including national management agencies (SEMA), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC), all levels of government, fire departments, health departments, planning authorities, security agencies, rescue services, communities, NGOs, CBOs, schools, markets, factories and the media to help generate and spread the right awareness and prepare the public for necessary responses to fires.

"Efforts should focus on measures and procedures to prevent fires, early detection and rapid response to save lives and minimize damage and economic loss.

“Everyone must be on deck to reduce the fires and all associated loss of life and property in Nigeria and beyond. Government agencies, corporations, private businesses and individuals should strive to leverage insurance companies to safeguard and protect their property and businesses as a form of risk transfer in the event of fire and disaster. other unforeseen disasters.

"The primary objective of NEMA and its partners is to save lives and property and no effort or resource committed is too much or too little in this regard.

While reiterating their collective efforts for fire management in Nigeria, NEMA said over the past few weeks that it has responded to some of the incidents by providing emergency aid to those affected.

"In addition, I have directed all NEMA area and operations offices to work with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) to conduct joint assessments in communities affected by the the disaster for consideration and support from the federal government," assured the NEMA helmsman. .

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