NEMA tasks stakeholders on disaster management

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for partnership between federal and state governments as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on disaster management.

Its director-general, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ interactive meeting in Birnin Kebbi Tuesday.

Maihaja, who was represented by the agency’s head of operations, Sokoto, Dr. Kofoworola Soleye, said there was the need to sensitise stakeholders on effective disaster management and quick response.

“There is a need to coordinate different response organisations, NGOs, volunteers and even communities in order to achieve the desired result,” he said, adding that NEMA was established to coordinate such activities.

Maihaja also said the meeting would enable stakeholders to identify the most critical disasters, response as well as the implementation of the national disaster plan.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders to identify areas of contributions, and enumerate facilities available in order to formulate a collaborative platform that will avail NEMA of information to coordinate agencies on responsive emergencies.

Also speaking, the chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Sani Dododo, said the state government had always supported effective collaboration aimed at averting disasters.

“We have to prepare for disasters and support victims of such disasters. As part of efforts by government on disaster management and support for victims of disasters, Governor Atiku Bagudu allocated N1.5 billion for disaster management in the state,” he said.

Dododo said the agency would embark on sensitisation campaign on the dangers of improper use of electrical appliances, especially during the Harmattan season.

The chairman assured stakeholders of government’s preparedness to face the challenge of disasters that might come up in the state.

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