Muhammad Sani-Sidi
Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi, has said that the Agency was ready for any emergency situation during the Yuletide season.
He said this in his office at the weekend while receiving the communique of the 2012 Annual Media Retreat of Journalists and Information Officers on Disaster and Emergency Management in Nigeria.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the agency, Yushau Shuaib, in a press release, quoted the NEMA boss as saying: “All Search and Rescue Officers of the NEMA and that of other response agencies as well as trained emergency volunteers throughout the federation have been put on alert in case of any untoward development between the Xmas period and the New Year. The activation of Search and Rescue officers to be on full alert has been the tradition of the agency in its collaborative efforts with other agencies and volunteers in responding to distress situation.”
Sani-Sidi lamented the inability of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to provide the country with a 3-digit National Emergency call line as obtained in other countries.
“We are waiting for NCC to work out the emergency toll free number as soon as possible to help us in disaster management.”
Sani-Sidi expressed dismay at states with less enthusiasm in emergency management, adding that only a few states comply with legal mandates to establish their state emergency management agencies (SEMAs).
He called on the press to task Governors and local government chairmen on the need to establish functional emergency management bodies.
“Every Nigerian now look forward to NEMA to respond to emergencies and combat disasters whereas, only situations beyond the coping capabilities of State and Local Emergency outfits that supports and assistance could be referred to NEMA as the national body.”
Speaking further, he disclosed that disaster management will soon be included in both primary and secondary school curricula. This he noted would ensure the younger ones develop an interest in emergency control.
On the 15-point communique, the NEMA boss assured he would look into all areas outlined especially those pertaining to the creation of information centres at emergency scenes to create synergy in dissemination of information and reportage during emergencies.
Comments