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Tag: Mustapha Maihaja

  • NEMA denies mismanagement of disaster fund

    The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja has denied claims and allegation by the House of Representative that the agency squandered N33billion emergency intervention fund meant for disaster management.

     Maihaja who spoke during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja said,  to provide context on the funding of the North East humanitarian response, the budget of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) for the period January to April 2017 was $1.05 Billion. The sum of $590 Million was for food and nutrition. As at April 2017, only the sum of $94.8 Million was provided by the donors.

    He said, “This meant that we had a shortfall of $495.8 Million in food funding. For the period May to October 2018, when the Federal Government Emergency Food Intervention for the North East was being implemented, the World Food Programme net-funding requirement was $230 Million.

    “Just to re-emphasis, we are not here to come up with excuses. Today, this public response is an obligation as a Government to adequately inform Nigerians of what truly happened. The confidence Nigerians have on NEMA and its capability to respond in their most difficult time of need cannot be tarnished. Nigerians need to be rest assured that NEMA is, was and will always remain  for the distressed.

     “On donated rice by the people’s Republic of China as a gesture of its brotherly relations with the Federal Republic of Nigeria donated 6,779 metric tones of rice to Nigeria as part of its support to the North East humanitarian efforts. This is equivalent to 135,550 units of 50kg bags of rice. In total, 271 containers arrived at Apapa Port from China in 5 shipments between June and October 2017.

     “In its mandate as the coordinating ministry for all foreign support, the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning received this kind gesture on behalf of the Nigerian Government. I will like to emphasis that while the Ministry of Budget and National Planning was the liaison with the Chinese Government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was the consignee of the Shipments.

    “Considering NEMA’s mandate as it relates to humanitarian intervention, we were instructed to take the responsibility of port clearing and ultimate movement of the rice to the North East.

    “The original Shipping documents and Custom Exemption Certificates were handed over to NEMA by the Ministry of Budget & National Planning (MB&NP) in December 2017 and January 2018. Thereafter NEMA commenced the immediate clearing and subsequent haulage of the donated rice to Maiduguri, Damaturu, Yola, Jalingo, Gombe and Bauchi. Being a donated consignment, it required duty exemption and other waivers before Clearing. The Government had restricted the importation of Rice; hence the process of getting the proper documentation also took extra time.

    “The total cost of Shipping and storage charges for the 271 containers was N518 million. We have all the receipts to prove this.  The actual cost of the donated rice is N2.24 billion (50.05 Million Chinese Yuan). To further justify that the items were received on behalf of the Federal Government, they were delivered into NEMA warehouses in Gombe, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and warehouses provided by the State Governments in Bauchi, Taraba and Yobe. The Chinese Rice was used for monthly feeding of the IDPs specifically in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States with balance in stock at Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba.”

    The DG said on the 15th April 2017, United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) alerted the FGN that it would be reducing its vital support to about 1.8 million IDPs by as much as 85%, due to corresponding reduction in funding by the donor countries. The WFP requested the FGN’s support to augment this shortfall and avert any additional suffering on the displaced Nigerians in the zone. Based on the analysis presented, the WFP shortfall would commence by May or June 2017.

    Around the same time, the United Nations Commission for Refugees in Geneva also issued a warning of growing risk of mass death from starvation among people living in conflict areas, including Nigeria.

  • Flood: NEMA distributes relief materials to IDPs in Niger

    Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Monday supervised the distribution of food items to about 480 persons displaced by flood in Niger.

    NAN reports that most of the IDPs in the camp were displaced by flood from Gungu community in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

    Maihaja said that the exercise was in continuation of the distribution of relief materials, which was flagged off by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the state in September.

    He noted that the gesture was to bring succour to the IDPs, following one of the most devastating flood disasters in the country.

    “It has been a very challenging situation; but here we are today providing succour to those affected by the disaster.

    “We thank you very much for your patience and understanding and the way you have conducted yourselves.

    “It makes the job a little easier and we appreciate you for that,” he added

    The NEMA chief said that the agency had carried out the need assessments of the IDPs in the state for the federal government assistance.

    Read Also: NEMA counters House of Reps Committee with “hard facts”

    “We also like to commend the efforts of the Niger state government which has been very supportive.

    “All the success registered was a collaborative effort of both the Federal and state governments.

    “We pray to the Almighty God that this kind of disaster does not happen again.

    “We assure you that after the water has finally receded, the federal government will respond with damaged needs assessment, whereby we will come up with details of the destruction and plan for reconstruction and recovery of all lost property,” he added.

    Maihaja disclosed that the distributed items comprised 80 bags of rice, 40 bags of beans, 40 bags of maize, 8 bags of sugar, vegetable oil, tin tomatoes, milk, sugar and salt.

    A cross section of beneficiaries who spoke to NAN, lauded the federal government for coming to their aid.

    Mr Ramanskep Isaac, one of the IDPs commended the people in the community for the love and concern showed to them, adding that they had been living in peace with their host since their arrival.

    Maihaja also inspected the re-settlement site for the IDPs and the agency’s Emergency Operation Center in the state.

  • Flood Management: Why Maihaja deserves a national honour

    Natural and human-made catastrophic events appear to be steadily increasing in intensity and frequency. Proper preparation, response, and recovery are vital if humanity and its vital systems are to cope with this and survive large-scale disasters. Like I have mentioned in numerous forums, one of the keys to effective disaster management is developing the tools, processes and best practices to manage natural disasters while also fully understanding that each disaster comes with its challenges and the solution for combating it differs from case to case. It is also crucial to anticipate these disasters and not just wait for it to happen before anything is done.
    And this much has been exhibited so far by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the management of disasters in Nigeria. The recent floods experienced in some parts of the country gives us a vivid example of how proactive NEMA has been in recent times under the headship of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja.
    Not only did NEMA promptly rise to the occasion, but it also indeed saved the country the wanton loss of lives and properties. And this did not happen overnight but rather was the end product of meticulous planning, risk assessment and management on the part of the Agency. This template utilised by NEMA combines a careful planning and a well thought out process which has become the hallmark of the operations of NEMA since Engr. Mustapha Maihaja took over the reins in 2017.
    I will give an example; The National Emergency Management Agency recently organized a national consultative workshop on climate Risk Mitigation, Preparedness, and Response. The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss critical issues arising from the challenges of climate change and its attendant effects that include flood and drought.  What does this tell us?
    This highlights the need to incorporate planning with a workable strategy  in whatever we do. Planning in the sense that we must come to the realisation that at some point, we would be confronted with unpleasant situations that would require a high level of proactive handling to mitigate or address the situation. Also strategy in the sense of knowing what to do, when and how to get it done effectively. And this has been the story and work ethic of NEMA under the stewardship of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja.
    To say that NEMA hasn’t been proactive in the handling of emergency issues in Nigeria would be tantamount to telling everyone that Nigeria is a state in the United States of America. Funny as this sound, it states the undeniable and modest achievements recorded by NEMA in the past two years. Not only has he surpassed expectations, but he has also shown displayed a high level of dedication to duty and an overall contribution to the Nigerian cause.
    The exploits of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja in NEMA has been emphasized in numerous forums.Permit me to also lend my voice in eulogizing him. In my opinion, an individual such as Engr. Mustapha Maihaja deserves some commendation given his track record. I say this for the very reason that when praise is rightly dished out, it would not only serve as a psychological boost for him to do more, while also providing an incentive for other public office holders to give their best. And for an agency such as NEMA, whose core mandate revolves around a critical constituency makes it more laudable that its director general has indeed risen to the occasion to provide purposeful leadership.
    And again, one of the many ways the DG of NEMA has so impressed me was in the setup of Emergency Operational Centres (EOCs), across the six geopolitical zones and Abuja and the activation of the National Contingency Plan. The EOCs is to facilitate prompt search and rescue operations as well as humanitarian supports in the twelve (12) states worst affected by flooding.
    The Emergency Response Centres will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing and supervising deployment of resources with the affected state governments and local authorities and communities. In my opinion, this is also brilliant because the objective would be to localize the responses and expedite intervention to save lives and facilitate quick recovery. Suffice to mention that this is what is obtained in most western climes.
    In my opinion, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja is deserving of a National Honour because his leadership style has impacted positively on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. This is also on the heels of the fact that he could have carried on with business as usual by ignoring early warnings, feeding fat on the system, diverting funds meant for resettlements and emergency operations and the likes. But no, instead, he decided to tow the path of honour by been proactive and ensuring that effects of disasters such as the recent flooding are mitigated.
    What more can we ask for as a people? If other political office holders can carry on in like manner, then Nigeria would indeed be a better place, and be on the path to sustainable development.  And if the actions of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja does not give us hope; I wonder what can. And if he is not deserving of National honour and recognition , I wonder who else deserves it.
    The DG of NEMA has demonstrated a capacity for hard work and patriotism. And one that should be rewarded. But for the numerous interventions of NEMA in addressing the floods that ravaged some parts of Nigeria, the casualty figures would have been mind-boggling. This is also aside his various introductions and offerings since he assumed leadership of the agency in 2017. I recall that some say he has the Midas touch. Some even say he is a workaholic. While I agree with both assertions. I would instead say he is merely patriotic.
    Onmeje writes from the United Kingdom.

  • NEMA’s impactful outings on disaster management

    These are indeed trying times. The floods are here again, and as usual, thousands are affected. Homes have been destroyed, farms have been washed away, and the list goes on. While it is succinct to state that just like in other climes where natural disasters such as hurricane, earthquakes, and floods have continued to wreak havoc, the responses of disaster management agencies come to bear in no small measure in cushioning effects and giving those affected a sense of belonging and a life afterward.

    And this brings us to the recent flooding experienced in some parts of Nigeria as a result of heavy rainfalls that causes rivers Niger and Benue to overflow. As at the last count, Niger Kogi, Anambra, and Delta states have been declared as National Disasters by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is also understood that Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states are being monitored carefully by NEMA.

    In this regard, I will start on a high note. The preparedness and responses by NEMA have been excellent in my opinion. I recall when the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency issued a warning that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012, NEMA issued a statement informing Nigerians on its preparedness for the flooding and it also consequently issued precautionary information to these communities.

    Now, this is why I decided to pen this article. Kogi state is among the worst hit states and as at the last time I checked, the director general of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has somewhat relocated to Kogi state. This was aside from the fact that he had held series of meetings with stakeholders to assess the reports from the fact-finding committees that visited flood-prone states after the warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. I was more than impressed, and in my opinion, this was indeed a proactive approach and a radical departure from that norm that placed so much emphasis on reactionary activities.

    I stand to be corrected, NEMA in the past two years had indeed shown how and what it meant to have a disaster management agency in a country. This is in line with the adoption of the preventive disaster management operations introduced into the agency by the director general, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja. I also recall that sometime in 2017, while addressing the 2017 General Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun, Mexico, the DG was quoted as saying “support from the political leadership in Nigeria has enabled a giant stride towards ensuring appropriate actions on reducing risks, disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the country. He also said the Federal Government has empowered and equipped NEMA to comprehensively manage disasters in Nigeria, with a fully functional Department of Disaster Risk Reduction already created in the agency.

    Now, this was why I wasn’t surprised and also impressed with the responses of NEMA in recent times in disaster management in Nigeria. Hear what the DG has to say: “President Muhammadu Buhari approved N3 billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation and it was on that note that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA had activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure. An operational structure has been put in place with a National Emergency Operational Centre domiciled at the NEMA headquarters and five Zonal Emergency Operational Centres (EOC).”

    I am left in awe whenever I hear the DG of NEMA speak on issues concerning disaster management. His grasp and understanding thrill me, so much so that I have told all that cared to listen that one of the best decision of President Muhammdu Buhari was to have appointed a highly detailed and competent individual to head NEMA. And why they would always ask me.

    The reason is simple. Which category of people is mostly affected by disasters? The answer is obvious, and that is mainly why I am in praise of President Muhammdu Buhari because he has demonstrated that this is a government that is concerned about the ordinary Nigerians unlike in times past where our inefficiency in disaster management results in loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

    Back to the crux of the issue, NEMA’s outings in disaster management in the past two years can best be described as impactful. It is instructive to state that DG has visited almost all parts of the country that has in one way or the other experienced any form of disaster, be it human-made or natural for on the spot assessment and also leading rescue and relief operations. For example, the DG of NEMA was on the ground during rescue operations when a building collapsed in Abuja recently. He was also in Benue during the September 2017 flood that affected scores of villages in the state. And the list goes on.

    Read Also: NEMA warns of impending flooding in 12 states

    In my opinion, what this signifies or indicates is that there is a government that cares and holds that critical constituency so dearly and the need for them to feel the impact of his administration. This is even aside from the efforts of NEMA in assisting the Nigeria military in the resettlement of thousands of Nigerians that were displaced as a result of the insurgency in North East Nigeria. It also suffices to state that under this arrangement, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have successfully returned to their communities. This is also commendable.

    The list can go on without end. But what is instructive and a takeaway from the activities of NEMA is that once there is a will, there would always be a way. This much the DG of NEMA has demonstrated with the support he has received from the political authorities. And if most political office holders exhibit this much patriotism, Nigeria would indeed be better for it.

    Adamu is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from Abuja

  • NEMA lauds military participation in disaster management

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says it is very impressed with the quality of military involvement in disaster managements and support of victims.

    Its Director General, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, while assessing facilities at the Disaster Response Unit of the 119 Operation Base of the Nigeria Air force, Sokoto on Friday, promised that the agency would continue to support such efforts.

    Represented by Air Commodore Akigbe Iyamu, Director in charge of Disaster and Response, Maihaja said that NEMA would continue to partner with the military’s disaster response section to ease disaster management.

    He stressed the need for collaborative efforts on disaster management among all tiers of government, noting that
    NEMA, which was supposed to focus on disasters with high magnitude, had been compelled to look into lesser incidents.

    He said that the visit was to assess military formations’ readiness to respond to disasters with a view to look into ways to assist them.

    Read Also: Boko Haram kills NEMA worker in Borno

    The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olanisakin, in a remark, expressed the military’s readiness to partner with NEMA and other security agencies to maintain peace before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    Olanisakin, who was represented by Gen. Habila Vintenaba, Director, Psychological Warfare, at the
    Defense Headquarters, said that the visit was to assess the readiness of the established disaster response
    point in the base.

    “We want to assess the unit’s readiness for prompt response to emergency situations,” he said.

    He said that military collaboration with NEMA would provide timely response to all forms of disasters and its management with desired professionalism in line with global practice.

    The CDS, however, advised politicians to desist from actions that would put national security in jeopardy, urging them to embrace dialogue toward resolving their differences.

    “Politicians must constantly educate their supporters on the need to ensure peace at all times,” he said.

    Earlier, Group Capt. Jibrin Usman, the Brigade Commander, had informed his guests that the base had recorded disasters such as flood, fire and thunderstorm in Sokoto and Kebbi States.

    He also said that his men had helped in evacuating some of the victims and provided security in places razed down by fire to avert looting by hoodlums.

    Usman identified major challenges to inadequate equipment and manpower training.

  • Ogun flood: FGN to provide relief materials to victims – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday visited places affected by recent flood that occurred in Abeokuta and its environs, assuring that the Federal Government would come to the aide of the Ogun State government with relief materials for the victims.

    Osinbajo who described the last Friday flood that ravaged homes, business premises, bridges  and even claimed lives,  as “very very unfortunate,” said aside the immediate provision of succour to the victims, further assistance would  be provided on a permanent basis to help cushion the effects of flood in the state.

    The Vice – President gave hint of the assistance while fielding questions from reporters  in  Abeokuta, the state capital, during his on-the-spot  assessment of some of the ravaged areas.

    He was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja.

    He rued that despite the drainages and infrastructure put in place by the state government, the flood still wreaked havoc, assuring that the Federal Government would collaborate with the state to improve on the infrastructure in order to forestall future occurrence.

    “Let me say what has happened here is very  very unfortunate indeed.  A lot of the drainages have been done, but the level of the rain had been so heavy that it has overtaken the infrastructure in place.  So what we are looking at is how this can be enhanced and we are also discussing  with His Excellency on how to do this.

    Read Also: FG to assist, compensate victims of Jibia flooding – Osinbajo

    “We have to really sit down and look at those challenges properly.  We are providing immediate relief materials to support the state govt.  We learnt that NEMA was here to provide that immediate succour.  On a permanent basis, we are planning on how to sit with the state government on how to provide succour,” he said.

    He conveyed the Federal Government’s condolence to the families of the victims and Ogun State government, and advised residents to change behaviours that obstruct the drainages.

    “The unfortunate incident is unavoidable. Flash flooding where you have rain for hours,  especially rains in the tropics, the type in the area that we are, it is difficult  to avoid flash flooding. We are fortunate that it did not take place at nigh, because if it did, and there is a sudden surge of water,  it will naturally cause a lot of disaster.

    “One of the things that we have to do as a people is that we have to change our habit of blocking drainages. Inspite of channelisation, where you have this kind heavy rain falling within short hours,  it will be like this. What we might need to do when the rain is heavy, is that those who live in the valley, will have to move quickly to higher ground. This is because there is nothing we can do about a valley,  a valley is a valley.

    “On the whole, the loss of lives is very unfortunate. The FG commiserates with the families  of the victims and the state government. And I want to also say that God has been gracious to us because it would have been worse, but for the drainages and the infrastructure in place,  which has helped to move the waters away.

    “As you can see, it has been dissipated despite the huge surge of the flood.  So I think we should be thankful to God and the state government for providing this kind of infrastructure and the quick response to minimize the loss,”. Osinbajo said.

  • Maihaja: Understanding the new Sheriff at NEMA

    I am one Nigerian who keenly and unflinchingly monitored President Muhammadu Buhari’s electioneering campaigns. And after his victory at the general elections and eventual assumption of office as President of Nigeria in May 2015, I also devoted special attention in his speeches, beginning with the maiden address to the nation.
    And in all the two, very important segments of his engagements with Nigerians, I discerned that President Buhari admitted inheriting a country that was on the brink of total collapse. He promised to reclaim Nigeria for Nigerians; but also cared to itemize three main areas of priority and immediate action of his Presidency.
    The President resonated lucidly that his administration would battle the suffocating insecurity in the country to a standstill, recover the economy and diversify it and also, fight corruption with the venom of a wounded lion until it is completely uprooted and purged from the system.  I have no doubt that President Buhari has enormously impacted of these three prioritized areas and a lot more.
    But my understanding of the President’s body language,  he is a leader limitlessly angered by the entrenched corruption in the system more than anything else.  All of us know that the problem of corruption in Nigeria is multifaceted, deep-rooted and widespread.
    In his speech at the Anti-corruption Summit in London recently, President Buhari expressed the depth of the thriving and simmering corruption in Nigeria, nay Africa in these words:
    “Corruption is one of the greatest enemies of our time. It runs completely counter to our values, as it rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of patronage where the resources are shared out by a small elite, while the majority are trapped in poverty…”
    However, what gladdens my heart is that very many of the President’s appointees have keyed into the “change agenda” and the focus of the present administration by avoiding corrupt or fraudulent acts. But we must admit the strain of men adjusting to positive change.
    And I know, the heart of an average human being is more tilted towards evil and when evil becomes institutionalized like in Nigeria, the dragnet spreads to unimaginable limits, sprouting overt and covert layers.  And beneficiaries of such evil against the state frustrates every plan to  end it  because of the accruing personal benefits. And they seek to corrupt others; while those who resist are blackmailed or even framed-up with phantom charges.
    By my personal judgment, the infinitesimal fraction of elites in the country have picked up daggers with President Buhari because of his consistent refusal to consent to their continued plundering and looting of the commonwealth of Nigerians.
    I can confidently assert a similar scenario has been extended to Buhari’s trusted appointees who have doggedly refused to be enmeshed in corrupt or fraudulent acts. Their staid stance never to turn the offices they head into centers for feasts of sleaze by these disgruntled elites is causing malignancy.
    This appears to be the burden of the current Director –General (DG), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustapha Maihaja. Some subordinate staff  of the agency, occupying positions as high as Directors, who profited immensely from fraudulent acts of the past leadership of the agency are pushed by the false illusion that  change is impossible in NEMA under its incumbent leadership led by Engr. Maihaja.
    But I have noticed they have been incredibly proved wrong by the realization that change in NEMA is not only possible, but it has berthed unshakably.  It is source of the conspiratorial attacks and loggerheads with the NEMA  DG,  Engr. Maihaja. It has propelled the detractors into recruitment of external forces, with same inclinations to assist them battle the NEMA boss to a standstill; a battle they are not making progress.
    I understand the lead conspirator and former NEMA Mr. Sani  Sidi Muhammed who led the campaign to allegedly  defraud NEMA to a mindboggling sum of N2.5 billion was sacked before the appointment of Engr. Maihaja as replacement. It means his investigation for the alleged financial crime may be unhindered. But he was in this fraudulent crusade with numerous Directors still serving with the agency.
    What has kept baffling me is that the EFCC discovered the alleged fraud of N2.5 billion and launched preliminary investigations, which pointed to something bigger. I am sure and it is apparent the anti-graft agency had difficulties getting into the roots of the matter with the indicted Directors still manning the offices’ documents were to be obtained for perusal.
    The anti-graft agency therefore transmitted a letter to NEMA Governing Board, statutorily chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, requesting the suspension of the suspects. This was to allow free access documents and unhindered investigations.
    NEMA Board deliberated over the report and approved it. But the Directors rushed to their allies in the House of Reps who have an axe to grind with the NEMA boss over his alleged refusal to patronize them with juicy contracts from the agency.  By the action of the suspended Directors, it gave leadership of House of Reps led by Speaker Yakubu Dogara a weapon to blackmail and intimidate Engr. Maihaja.
    Curiously, Speaker Dogara constituted an adhoc committee led by Hon. Ali Isa to probe funds remitted to NEMA under Maihaja,  an outing they staged out with fabricated and frivolous accusations. And suspiciously too, the Reps Committee was emphatic that they were instructed not to probe into the issue of the established N2.5 billion reportedly embezzled from NEMA.
    The indicted directors have gone back mount their offices in compliance with the House of Reps order for their reinstatement. But who is the fool who would hand over to the  anti-graft agency,  a document from his office incriminating  him? I am convinced; the indicted Directors would have mercilessly tampered with any document implicating them. That’s the sense of justice the House of Reps is flaunting in the guise of fighting corruption.
    The indicted officials in the alleged fraud, awarded contracts to themselves through personal, non-existing  or proxy companies, which were not executed but paid fully; overinflated contracts and over invoiced receipts, paid millions of naira to family members and created artificial IDPs camps among others.
    And days have rolled into weeks and weeks in months, but the House of Reps committee probing the NEMA boss, Engr. Maihaja  has failed to get any modicum of fraud to  crucify him from the basketful of allegations they heaped on his person and office.  And I learnt they have allegedly resolved and perfected fresh plans to use other crude means to get Maihaja out of office for refusing to understand with them.
    I am infinitely baffled after assessment of the whole drama that Engr. Maihaja  is  guilty of one sin in the estimation of the indicted Directors and their allies in the House of Reps. It is his rejection of their overtures to share public funds  to them under fictitious contracts like  done to the their former colleagues  in the House.
     President Buhari attracts my compassion so much. While he strives every minute to curb corruption in the system, the majority of loud voices out there chorusing concern for public interest are not on the same page with him. They scheme with their strength and might on how they can corruptly enrich themselves at the detriment of Nigerians.
    But let them have my assurance that a breakthrough can only come , if they succeed in compromising the integrity of Maihaja to open the public till for them to pilfer and plunder. Sadly,  it seems an uphill task because there is a new Sheriff in town, who cannot be intimidated by their antics .
    Ogwu is Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency and based in Abuja.

  • NEMA boss opens up on alleged N3.1b fraud

    due process was followed in the procurement of relief materials for emergency purposes across the country, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja told a House of Representatives panel at the weekend.

    House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness had at its public hearing on violation of public trust in NEMA confronted the agency with due process infractions in the award of N3.1b procurement of 10,000 metric tons of rice for emergency purposes in the Northeast between 2017 and 2018.

    The Committee also questioned the agency why an officer other than a Procurement officer had to sign award letters.

    In his response, Maihaja said the agency was forced to approach the Presidency for the procurement of the materials because development partners withdrew 85 percent of their funding support for the region.

    While availing the Committee with the copy of the approval letter, the DG said the agency can not award a procurement contract that is more than N300m.

    He said: “We insist that due process be followed on procurement since my assumption of duties in April 2017 because different methods were used before then with serious resistance from within and outside.

    “Today NEMA is one of the most investigated agencies but due process was followed in our procurements.

    “On the 10,000 metric tons of rice, we complied with the Procurement Act, the agency sought Presidential approval for the procurement 10,000 metric tons of rice at 3.1b for emergency purposes in the Northeast.

    “The approval was signed by the Vice President in a letter by the Deputy Chief of Staff.

    “The contract was awarded to two companies as well as  logistics companies for delivery.

    “The contractors don’t get paid until deliveries are confirmed by the recipient agencies.

    “Also, the deliveries directly to   NEMA are taken to our warehouses across the country and confirmed by our store officers before payments are made.”

  • 487 Nigerian returnees arrive Port Harcourt from Libya

    487 Nigerian returnees arrive Port Harcourt from Libya

    The second batch of 487 Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived Port Harcourt International Airport at about 10.43 p.m. on Monday in Max Air.

    On Friday, the Federal Government announced the establishment of a reception centre in  Port Harcourt for 5,037 Nigerians being evacuated from Libya.

    The returnees were received by officials of National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), led representatives from other Federal Government agencies.

    NEMA officials conveyed the returnees to Haji camp where they were profiled and fed.

    Officials were on ground to check the returnees’ body temperature and also gave immediate first aid to those in need.

    Read also: 1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November

    Officials also said that 487 returnees are expected to be transported back to their states of origin within few days.

    The Federal Government on Monday said it has so far evacuated 1,030 stranded Nigerian migrants from Libya between January 7 and January 8.

    Mustapha Maihaja, the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency, disclosed this at a joint news conference by the Federal Government delegation to Libya.

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had on January 5 led a delegation on fact finding mission to Libya to secure the release of Nigerian migrants stranded in that country.

    Onyeama said the Nigerian mission in Libya was coordinating the identification of the Nigerian migrants with the support of International Organisation for Migration.

    According to him, they are being joined by a technical team comprising representatives from NEMA, Immigration and other relevant Nigerian government agencies.

    The minister said that the political and security challenges in that country made it difficult to secure the evacuation of some Nigerians back home.

    He added that “there are different centres of power in that country.

    The central government recognised by the UN and AU do not have full control of the territories controlled by rebels.”

    He pointed out that there were over 50 detention camps in Libya, many of them under the control of rebels and militia groups.

    NAN

  • NEMA DG appeals to NASS to amend agency’s act

    NEMA DG appeals to NASS to amend agency’s act

    Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill seeking to amend the act establishing the Agency.

    He made the appeal in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, Head of Media and Public Relations, NEMA, on Monday in Abuja.

    Maihaja said that he was appealing for the amendment on the agency’s act in order to improve on the working conditions of the staff and enhance effective disaster management in the country.

    He was said to have made the appeal at the National Assembly when he led the management of the agency to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Abuja.

    Maihaja told the committee that the misunderstanding between the management and union had been resolved, saying that it was not the wish of the management to allow such matters to degenerate into strike action.

    The director-general added that some of the issues in the disputes could be properly handled with the amendment to the NEMA establishment Act.

    He appreciated the concerns of the Committee members and thanked the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige for intervening in resolving the issues.

    Datti said that the meeting was at the instance of the committee, which had invited the NEMA management and its staff union leaders to resolve the recent industrial disputes that resulted in a one day strike by the staff on Thursday.

    NAN