The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

  • NEMA receives 149 Nigerians from Libya

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) has received 149 Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya.

    The returnees arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. aboard a chartered flight operated by Buraq Airline with registration number 5A-DMG.

    The aircraft landed at about 10:45 p.m. at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The returnees comprised of 107 male adults, 37 female adults including a medical case, four female children and one female infant.

    Mr Abrham Tamrat, the Programme Manager of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Lagos, handed the returnees over to Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, the South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA.

    Suleiman thanked the IOM and the European Union ( EU ) for facilitating the repatriation of the Nigerians who had been stranded en route from Libya to Europe.

    Yakubu admonished the returnees to shun the urge of seeking greener pastures outside the country.

    He said that all nations in the world were facing various challenges as a result of global economic meltdown.

    The coordinator said the Nigerian economy had exited recession due to the ingenuity of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, adding that they should join hand in building the country.

    “Nigeria has more than enough resources to cater for our needs but it is left for every one of us to tap from any of these abundant resources,” Suleiman said.

    He assured them that both the Federal and state governments had lots of incentives for their rehabilitation and reintegration to complement the efforts of EU and IOM.

    Also speaking, Tamat said the IOM had assisted over 7,000 Nigerians back from Libya under the voluntary return assistance programme and would continue to assist persons who indicate interest to return.

    The returnees were also received by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS ), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and the Nigeria Police.

    The telecommunications company, Airtel, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, also gave the returnees free mobile cellphones and sim cards to facilitate their reintegration.

    NAN

  • Agency urge organisations to resume operation in Borno

    Agency urge organisations to resume operation in Borno

    The Chairman, Borno State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ), Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, on Wednesday appealed to humanitarian organisations to resume their services in Rann community to fast track support to displaced persons.

    Kolo made the call against the backdrop of suspension of activities by humanitarian actors at Rann in Kala Balge Local Government Area of the state.

    Our reporters,  reports that Boko Haram insurgents had on March 1 killed three aid workers and injured one other while three female nurses were declared missing.

    Sequel to the sad development, aid organisations suspended their services of providing assistance to over 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the community.

    Kolo said that the call was imperative to enhance support to displaced persons and guard against escalation of humanitarian crisis in the state.

    She said the agency in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would adopt proactive measures to protect the displaced persons from difficulties due to the suspension of humanitarian services by the organisations.

    “The incident is unfortunate and regrettable; we sympathise with the victims and their families.

    Read Also: Three JTF members die in Borno attack

    “We appeal to the humanitarian bodies to revisit their decision for the sake of humanity and continue with their services, their intervention is catalyst to addressing humanitarian crisis in the region,” she said.

    The chairman said that the agency was augmenting efforts by NEMA and other humanitarian organisations to provide services in areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and provision of condiments to IDPs.

    She disclosed that the agency would continue with its services in the affected community despite the difficult terrain and security challenges.

    “NEMA and SEMA with the support of the military will continue to provide support and assistance to the displaced persons in Rann,” she said.

    Kolo further called on the insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace to facilitate restoration of peace in the troubled region.

    NAN

  • Reps to probe NEMA over N17bn allocation

    Reps to probe NEMA over N17bn allocation

    House of Representatives, says it will probe the financial operations of National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ).

    The resolution followed a motion under matters of urgent public importance by Rep. Benjamin Wayo (Benue-APC) on “the alleged violation of public trust at the agency.”

    Wayo, who moved the motion, said that NEMA has been unable to account for the more than N17 billion it had received so far.

    According to him, the core mandate of NEMA is to coordinate the management of disaster across the country and to assist victims of such disasters.

    “In spite of this core mandate, several cases of disasters across the country have been given necessary attention which is the hunger issue in IDP camps in the Northeast, the farmers and herdsmen conflicts, fire disaster victims and many other such cases that have been neglected.

    He said the house was “Concerned that the agency has received more than N10 billion from 20 per cent from the National Ecological Fund in the last one year, five billion naira for hunger intervention in the Northeast, about two billion Naira for flood intervention across the country.”

    Wayo expressed concern that these funds were illegally siphoned by officials of the agency through dubious award of contracts without delivering relief items to the victims.

    According to him, the Director General of the agency also awards contracts to companies he has personal interest in and has violated his approval limits by awarding contracts to single firm without due process.

    He further expressed concerns that the agency is the only federal agency that has an Air Ambulance but has turned it into financial venture without remitting the financial proceeds to government coffers and the agency could not account for their assets.

    Contributing to the motion, Rep. Obinna Chidoka (Anambra-PDP), said that the house should investigate NEMA’s activities thoroughly to know how much was appropriated and spent.

    Similarly, Rep. Sunday Adepoju, (Oyo-APC), said that tax payers money must be accounted for as there were no way these monies could be spent unaccounted for.

    The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to investigate the allegations in six weeks.

    NAN

  • FG appoints Med-view Airline to evacuate Nigerians from Libya

    FG appoints Med-view Airline to evacuate Nigerians from Libya

    The Federal Government has appointed Med-View Airline, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to participate in the evacuation of 5,037 Nigerians from Libya.

    The Airline’s Executive Director, Business Development and Commercial, Mr Isiaq Na’Allah, and Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the spokesman of NEMA, South-West Zone, confirmed the development in Lagos on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement was signed between the parties on Friday in Abuja. It is expected to facilitate the smooth repatriation of Nigerians from the volatile North African country.

    The agreement was signed on behalf of the airline by Na’ Allah, while the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja and Mrs Fatima Bukar, a Senior Legal Officer of NEMA, signed on behalf of the agency.

    Na’Allah said in a statement that Med-View Airline would participate in the transportation of the returnees with another carrier to be appointed by the government.

    “This kind of responsibility is meant for Nigerian carriers, because it is our responsibility, and we have the capacity to carry out this operation.

    “We have demonstrated the capacity that we can do it and we are honoured to have been appointed by the Federal Government through NEMA”, he said.

    According to him, it is a known fact that Med-View Airline has been in operations for the past 10 years and has successfully carried out Hajj operations within and outside the country.

    Also read :  Travel scams you need to be aware of

     Na’Allah said : “I think that was a factor the government considered before we were assigned this national project.

    “We will deliver professionally up to international standard and the government is not making any mistake for entrusting Nigerian carrier to this kind of project.”

    NAN reports that a total of 6,806 Nigerians were evacuated from Libya in 2017 through the efforts of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).

    However, following reports of gross abuse of Nigerians in the country where they had been stranded enroute Europe, President Muhammadu Buhari recently constituted a 17-man fact finding committee.

    The committee, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, is saddled with the responsibility of facilitating the repatriation of Nigerians and also reintegrating them into the society, in collaboration with the state governments.

  • Inform us on road accidents, others – FRSC

    Inform us on road accidents, others – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has urged travelers and road users to use its toll-free 122 line to report any urgent negative development on roads.

    The Enugu Zonal Commander of FRSC, Mr Samuel Obayemi, gave the advice while speaking in Enugu on Tuesday.

    Obayemi, who is in-charge of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, noted that the toll-free line should be used to get to FRSC National Operations Control Centre Abuja, where assistance can be received for any issue on the roads in the country.

    He said that the line, also known as FRSC code number, was the surest and quickest means to get the attention of the corps even when its patrol teams and unit command situated on the roads were not easily visible.

    “The toll-free 122 line is an express dial emergency number to get the FRSC National Operations Control Centre, Abuja for compliant on any development or issues on the road.

    “You can dial and report any accident involving vehicles or other objects on the road.

    Read also: FRSC confirms 11 women conveying bride die in Kano auto crash

    “You can report on activities of road users especially drivers, who drive recklessly at the detriment of lives of other road users, so that the control centre can get to the nearest FRSC patrol team on the same road to stop the reckless driver.

    “Even, you can use it to report any of our staff, who is deviating from his duty or becoming unprofessional in the discharge of his or her duty on the road,’’ he said.

    The zonal commander also said that the control centre also received criminal and hoodlums threats on the road, related to the nearest unit or sector command to get the attention of the law enforcement agencies.

    “The FRSC National Operations Control Centre, Abuja has been instrumental to the smashing of activities of criminals on our roads through road users report to the centre via 122.

    “Since, we have effective collaboration with the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), and the military, they usually respond to the intelligence on crime the centre gives to the nearest unit and sector command,’’ he said.

    Obayemi, however, thanked motorists for the co-operation with the corps’ personnel so far, adding that it had led to a hitch-free FRSC Special Yuletide Operation within some days now.

    “I must laud other sister security agencies, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air-Force, the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) and the motoring public for their support to our special operation,’’ he said.

    The FRSC also has a 12-digit emergency line – 0700 2255 3772.

    NAN

  • Yuletide : NEMA, FRSC flag off ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ operation

    Yuletide : NEMA, FRSC flag off ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ operation

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in conjunction with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday in Kano flagged off ‘Operation Eagle Eye’operation to handle road emergencies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operation was an initiative of NEMA in collaboration with the lead Agency, FRSC with assistance and support of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Red Cross Society.

    Speaking at the occasion, the NEMA Kano Head of operations, Malam Nura Abdullahi said the exercise was aimed at rescue activities and strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations as part of measures to enlighten road users during and after the yuletide.

    According to him, the main objective of the exercise was also to sensitize motorists, road unions, passengers and the public to adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

    He said the initiative was also aimed at complementing other stakeholders especially the Federal Road Safety Corps in tackling road accidents in the country.

    He said NEMA officers and stakeholders that included FRSC, NSCDC and NRCS would be stationed in strategic places to monitor and ensure non reckless driving, sensitize drivers to be moderate on their speed limit and avoid drunken behaviour.

    NAN reports that during the flag-off of the exercise, leaflets on safe driving were distributed to drivers along the ever-busy Kano-Zaria road.

  • 1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November – NEMA

    1,295 Nigerians returned from Libya in November – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) says a total of 1,295 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya in November after being stranded in the volatile North African country enroute Europe.

    The Nigerians returned in various batches between Nov. 6 and Nov. 30 with the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ) and the European Union ( EU ).

    The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), Alhaji Mustapha Maihajja, made the disclosure while receiving a fresh batch of 150 Nigerians who arrived the country on Thursday.

    The returnees were brought back aboard a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with Registration Number: 6A-DMG.

    The aircraft landed at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 9.15pm.

    The returnees comprised of 13 female adults and one teenage girl while the male were 133 adults, two teenage boys and one baby boy.

    They were received on behalf of Maihajja by the South West Zonal coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu .

    Also on ground to welcome the returnees back home were officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS ) , the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and the Police.

    NAN

    Read Also: NEMA hands over relief materials to flood victims in Enugu

  • 826 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya in one month – NEMA

    826 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya in one month – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) says a total of 826 Nigerians stranded in Libya, enroute Europe, voluntarily returned from the North African country in October.

    The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihajja, made the disclosure while receiving a fresh batch of 270 Nigerians who arrived the country on Tuesday.

    Maihajja, represented by the South West Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu, said the returnees were assisted back to Nigeria by the International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ) and the European Union ( EU ).

    He said that the fresh batch added to 138 Nigerians earlier brought back on Oct. 3; 257 on Oct. 24 and 161 on Oct. 26 made the total number of returnees in October 826.

    The NEMA boss urged the returnees to contribute their quota to national development, stressing that the quest to build Nigeria required the support of all and sundry.

    NAN reports that the new set of returnees arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7.30pm aboard a Libyan Airline aircraft with registration number 5A-LAU.

    They comprised 216 female adults, 13 teenage girls and five infants, while the male adults were 27, 18 were teenage boys and nine, baby boys.

    Other agencies which received the returnees were the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS ), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and the Police.

    NAN

  • Another 257 Nigerians return from Libya

    Another 257 Nigerians return from Libya

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) on Tuesday received another 257 Nigerian voluntary returnees flown back from Libya.

    The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in a chartered Airbus A330-200 flight with Registration number 5A- LAT at 9.15pm.

    They had been stranded in the course of their failed attempt to cross over to Europe through the volatile North African country.

    The returnees were assisted back to Nigeria by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) while the Italian Government provided the aircraft.

    They were handed over to the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA Southwest, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu, who received them on behalf of Federal Government.

    The female among the returnees comprised 241 adults, two children and five infants while the male comprised four adults, four teenage boys and one infant.

    Yakubu enjoined the returnees to embrace the change mantra of the federal government.

    He urged them to remain positive and focused on contributing their quota to national development, instead of seeking greener pastures where it doesn’t exist.

    Yakubu noted that they would not be treated as second class citizens in their own country, unlike what they face abroad after migrating illegally.

    He disclosed that the European Union was providing the reintegration assistance, urging them to make use of the initiative and better their lives.

    Other agencies present when Yakubu received the returnees were the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS ) , the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and the Police.

    NAN

  • No more crisis in NEMA, Says DG

    No more crisis in NEMA, Says DG

    Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, Tuesday told the Senate that the industrial unrest which rocked the agency last week was over.

    The NEMA boss spoke when he met members of the Senate Committee on Special Duties who invited him over the industrial dispute between the staff and management of the interventionist agency.

    Maihaja told the committee that NEMA management had already commenced the implementation of a seven-point agreement it reached with the workers union.

    The seven-point agreement, he said, were aimed at ensuring sustainable industrial harmony and smooth working environment in NEMA.

    He noted that NEMA management was open for talks with the leadership of the union in order to address any area of disagreement.

    On the seven point agreement, the NEMA boss said that the main issue the union raised was the recall of its members posted outside NEMA headquarters.

    He also said that the union members raised the issue of payment of their overtime and Duty Travel Allowance involving over 788 staff members.

    He told the committee that in line with the agreement, over 200 staff members have been paid while payment for others was being processed.

    He said that the payment of hazard allowance demanded by the union was also being worked out while a framework for training and retraining of worker were being considered.

    On separation of women from their husbands, the DG said that he left a standing instruction that any woman who wanted to be reunited with her husband should write.

    On promotion, the DG told the committee that the NEMA management was ever prepared to follow laid down civil service procedure in matters of promotion of worker.

    Maihaja said that he is working to carry along the union leadership for them to appreciate the practicability or otherwise of certain demands.

    He said, “Above all demands, the interest of the organization should always be paramount because without the organization the union will not exist.”

    Chairman of the Committee Senator Abdul’Aziz Murtala Nyako asked the DG to always work to drive the organisation in order to give it focus.

    Senator Nyako also stressed the need for continuous industrial harmony in NEMA “especially now that NEMA has a lot to do in all parts of the country.”

    The lawmaker insisted that “whatever we do the bottom line is industrial peace and harmony.”

    The committee chairman mandated the DG to furnish the committee with progress report of the implementation of the agreement reached with the workers.