It’s time for state and local governments emergency management agencies

In the last two years the National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA]  has transformed itself into a household name, because of how they have endeared themselves to Nigerians. These monumental achievements and transformations are, no doubt, largely to be credited to the exemplary and leadership character in the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA], […]

In the last two years the National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA]  has transformed itself into a household name, because of how they have endeared themselves to Nigerians.

These monumental achievements and transformations are, no doubt, largely to be credited to the exemplary and leadership character in the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA], Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi. The agency has encountered numerous challenges, among them were the evacuation of Nigerians in the crisis-ridden Libya and Egypt and airlifting them back home.

NEMA had to redesign emergency tips and establish a Disaster Management Centre at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria so as to provide an institutionalized platform where emergency management can be taught.  Also, worried by the level of disaster NEMA and other stakeholders developed a framework for contingency plan for Nigerians so as to collectively adopt a standard guideline for minimum response to disaster.

Also remembering that NEMA cannot do it all alone, that disasters is every one’s business, the organisation decided to enlarge their scope of work through an elaborate partnership with many organizations, such as the National Orientation Agency, Nigeria Armed Forces, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Fire Service, United Nations and many others. All these agencies came together to tackle the challenges facing the nation since the post-election violence in 2011 and through the various bombings and floods that have ravaged the nation.

Having identified the relevance of NEMA in the contemporary Nigeria, it is vital that government, especially the federal government and the National Assembly, demonstrates the political will to enact a law that would ensure that disaster management agencies are replicated at the local and state government levels.

Mr Dike Chigbue is the Executive Director of StandNigeria Initiative in Abuja