NEMA Strengthen Ties With NSCDC As CG Audi Assures Prompt Action During Emergencies
By Bukar BOLORI
Expressing much concern with climatic changes and challenges associated with the rainy season, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni. OFR; has assured the Management and Directorate of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) an effective collaborations to mitigate against disaster occurrences before, during and after the rainy seasons.
Dr Audi emphasized the pivotal mandate of the NSCDC in Crisis and Disaster Management as one of the statutory duties of the Corps amongst others noting that the NSCDC is a member of the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) whose objective centres on ensuring the protection and assistance of populations and safeguarding property and the environment in the face of natural and man-made disasters.
He noted that in discharging this mandate the NSCDC has further maintained synergy by complementing the efforts of NEMA through disaster alert, providing security and maintenance of law and order during the distribution of relief materials to Internally displaced persons (IDP), as well as providing succour to victims of disaster occurrence or emergencies across the nation.
Speaking at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja, the NSCDC Boss said, “In line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two federal government agencies the NSCDC will continue to give necessary security coverage and support to NEMA officials on duty and beneficiaries of government relief materials.”
The Director General (DG) of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar speaking during a courtesy visit to the NSCDC CG appreciated the Corps for the long-term collaborations and cooperation which has enhanced the productivity and performance of NEMA in actualizing her roles and responsibilities to the nation.
Mrs Umar explained that the visit was part of her broad consultations with reputable stakeholders and partners to enhance service delivery.
She maintained, “Nigeria’s disaster profile and attendant humanitarian outlook call for strengthening and mutual collaborative effort between NEMA and NSCDC.”
DG NEMA further lauded the CG for his consistent support in the management of disasters in the country stressing the need for NSCDC to activate its emergency response teams to work with NEMA to save lives and livelihood as well as restorative normalcy in the event of floods and associated secondary disaster as the rainy season intensifies.
Umar also commended the reports by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NIMET) and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) stated during the visit that 148 Local Government Areas in 31 states were forecast to be within the high flood areas while 249 Local Government Areas in 35 states and the FCT were considered to fall within the moderate flood risk areas during this year’s rainy season.
