NEMA tasks states, stakeholders on response to disasters

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged states and stakeholders to be more proactive and efficient in their responses to disaster management.

The Director General, NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa, who was represented by the Head of NEMA Operations Office, Sokoto,

Dr Kofoworola Soleye, during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday said there was need to coordinate different response organisations, non-governmental organisations, volunteers and the community in order to achieve efficient disaster management.

He said the essence of the stakeholders interaction in Kebbi State was to enable them identify critical disasters, responses and implementation of the national disaster plans. He stated that to formulate what he called collaborative platform that will avail NEMA with information to coordinate agencies on responsive emergencies stakeholders must identify areas where they can contribute and know the available facilities.

In his address, the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Sani Dododo said the state government was always in support of effective collaborative measures aimed at averting disasters.

He said: “We have to prepare for the disasters and support the victims of such disasters as part of our efforts on disaster management and support to victims of the disasters.”

He added that Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu had allocated N1.5 billion for the victims of disasters in the state, and the money was expended to the victims of the disasters from 2007 to date.

“Over 6,300 victims were paid and each received nothing less than N600, 000 as compensation”, he said.