The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NEMA

  • NEMA donates relief materials

    NEMA donates relief materials

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials to 15, 700 displaced persons in five communities in Borno and Yobe states.

    The communities are Chibok , Gamboru, Jakana, Mainok in Borno State  and Goniri in Yobe State.

    NEMA’s Director-General Muhammad Sani Sidi, who was represented by the North East Zonal Coordinator, Mohammed Kanar, said it was normal to provide succour to the traumatised communities.

    He assured them of the Federal Government’s continued support towards the rehabilitation of the displaced persons and urged them to remain law abiding.

     

  • Boko Haram affects 9m people, says NEMA

    Boko Haram affects 9m people, says NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said nine million persons have been indirectly affected by the Boko Haram crisis.

    It also said 3,161,887 others were directly affected and in dire need of humanitarian relief assistance.

    The recent abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by the sect members has compounded the security crisis in the Northeast and elicited international concerns over the activities of the terror group in Nigeria, the agency said.

    To strengthen humanitarian coordination in response to the Northeast crisis, NEMA said it collaborated with other stakeholders in March on a multi-sectoral rapid assessment of the humanitarian situation in Borno, Yobe and a Adamawa states.

    NEMA’s Director-General Mohummed Sani Sidi spoke yesterday in Abuja when he received the United Nations (UN) Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Said Djnnit.

    The NEMA chief said the continuous support of the United States system to NEMA and its stakeholders had accounted for the improved human and material capacity for emergency response.

    Sidi said: “There is no doubt that the wave of insurgency in the Northeastern states of Nigeria in the past few years has become one of the greatest challenges facing emergency responders in the country.

    “From the beginning of the state of emergency in the Northeast, NEMA, in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) has established a humanitarian cell in Borno State and sub-cells in Yobe and Adamawa states to provide emergency relief assistance to communities affected by the crisis.

    “Several initiatives have been put in place by the government to assist the communities affected in the Northeast. The presidential initiative for the Northeast has distributed assorted food items to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities of the three states.

    “In consideration of the dire humanitarian situation in the states, the agency is looking forward to the urgent support of all the arms of UN system as a follow-up to this meeting.”

    Amb. Djnnit said the UN was committed to the peace and unity of Nigeria.

    “I am here to know where exactly NEMA needs the UN to intervene. We will help the government to make the best use of the resources on the ground,” he said.

  • Tips on how to handle emergencies, by Naval chief

    Tips on how to handle emergencies, by Naval chief

    •Navy, NEMA, others get training on Maritime

    PROPER coordination among relevant security agencies can minimise casualities during operations, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade said yesterday.

    It was at the closing of a four-day training on maritime crisis response in Lagos.

    The Nigerian Navy (NN), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),

    Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Police (NP) attended the training.

    Organised by the Officer of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the training which was done in collaboration with the European Critical Maritime Routes in the Gulf of Guinea (CRIMGO), proferred solutions on how to maximise time and ensure efficiency during water crisis.

    Addressing reporters after a joint simulation exercise,

    Alade said the eight minutes used in rescuing victims of the improvised boat collusion was much.

    He  also noted that the reception desk during emergencies must be equipped with medical facilities and nurses or paramedics to give victims treatment and keep them conscious, while speedy efforts are made to take them to the hospitals.

    “The exercise scenario was deliberately made simple because this is the first time in the series of planned joint trainings of this nature,

    “It is part of the national strategy to enhance national response to disasters and it is hoped that as we go along, the objectives of this partnership will be greatly enhanced,” he said.

    Special Assistant to the NSA, Karounwi Adekunle, said the training which held between May 8 and 12, was aimed at building a common understanding of the scale of piracy threats in the Gulf of Guinea.

    “We want to assist governments of the Gulf of Guinea region build robust institutions, maritime administrations and multiagency capabilities to ensure maritime awareness, security and the rule of law.

    “Strengthening cooperation between the countries of the region and the regional organisations to enable them to take the necessary actions to mitigate the threats at sea and on land.”

    Commenting on the capability of NEMA to handle emergency situations, the agency’s Training Director, Daniel Gambo said there is no disaster NEMA cannot handle, because it personnels are trained on post-disaster management.

    “We did bomb simulation in Abuja International Airport and Wuse Market  a few weeks ago. The main goal of this training is to test our preparedness to real life disasters and how our personnel react to disasters.

    “On June 5, we will do an air crash simulation and one on the sea as well,” said Gambo.

     

  • Nigeria to host disaster management

    Nigeria to host disaster management

    The Federal Government, United Nation Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Africa (UNISDR), Africa Union (AU) and Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will host the  5th African Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Abuja, from  13th – 16th May 2014.

    The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA disclosed that the  overall aim of the African Regional Platform is to identify key priorities and commitments for Africa’s position on the  post Hyogo framework for Action (HFA)  2015 and develop a future action plan  focused on building the resilience of African communities in line with sustainable development goals.

    It states that, “Ministers and government officials across Africa will discuss and adopt a draft declaration based on a compilation of recommendation emerging from  the three days of stakeholder deliberation and dialogue.

    “About 500 – 600 Participants are expected to attend the conference from African Countries, intergovernmental regional organizations, bilateral and multilateral donors, United Nations, academic and technical institutions, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Government Organizations,local governments, community leaders, parliamentarians, youth, media and the private sector.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyims Pius Anyims will declare the forum open while the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency Mohummed Sani Sidi will be the chief host.

    It  would be recalled that Nigeria was among the 168 countries that  adopted a resolution for the implementation of 10-year International Disaster Risk Strategy known as  the HYOGO FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION (HFA 2010-2015) at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, in Hyogo, Japan in 2005.

  • 10 injured in Lagos building collapse

    10 injured in Lagos building collapse

    No fewer than 10 persons including teenagers on Thursday sustained varying degrees of injury following the collapse of a two-storey building in Lagos.

    The incident, which occurred at 11 San Beach Lane, off Longe Street, Oworonshoki, affected the building which was still under construction around 11am.

    The Nation learnt that the owner of the collapsed building and the contractor in charge had taken to their heels, to evade possible arrest by the authorities.

    It took the combined efforts of rescue agencies to safe the affected persons who were trapped in the rubbles. The victims were reportedly working in the building when it caved in.

    The rescued teenagers – Monday Ahungbe (12), Jimoh Adebiyi (13), Oba Alafia (14) and Moses Atokiti (15) were said to be assisting the six adults construction workers.

    Confirming the incident, the southwest spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the timely intervention of NEMA, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), policemen and operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), saved the lives of the victims.

    Farinloye disclosed that the teenagers all sustained minor injuries and were taken to Folabi Medical Centre, Oworonshoki, before the General Manager, Lagos State Building control Agency (LASBCA), Mrs. A.B. Animasaun evacuated them for proper rehabilitation. He said two of the adults victims with major injuries were taken to Gbagada General Hospital.

     

  • Insurgency: Health services collapse in North East – NEMA

    Health services have collapsed in states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, a report from the National Emergency Management Agency has said.

    The report said the insurgency has brought the health system to “total collapse” in most local government areas of Borno State.

    According to the report, 37 per cent of the primary health care centres in most affected local government areas have been shut because of the insurgency.

    The report added that the existing health centres are overwhelmed by the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) requiring health care assistance.

    It noted that in spite of relentless efforts from actors to attend to IDPs, the need for emergency health support is enormous.

    “In spite of the of relentless efforts from actors on ground, the need for emergency health support are acute, especially regarding provision of health care for pre-existing conditions,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the report as saying on Thursday.

    It also said the risk of epidemics is high in states affected by the state of emergency but the World Health Organisation in partnership with the Ministry of Health in the affected states is carrying out disease surveillance in communities that are accessible.

     

  • NEMA, police: 71 died

    NEMA, police: 71 died

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the police confirmed yesterday that 71 people died in the Nyanya bomb blast; 124 were injured.

    Inspector-General of Police M.D. Abubakar said security agencies were stepping up measures to uncover the planners of the crime and avoid a reoccurrence.

    Abubakar urged Nigerians and the international community to remain calm and vigilant.

    The release of the official figures was contained in separate statements by the two agencies.

    A statement by the Senior Information Officer of NEMA, Mr. Sani Datti, said: “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other response agencies have carried out the herculean task of evacuating dead bodies as well as injured victims of the early morning blasts at the Nyanya Motor Park to various hospitals in Abuja and the environs.

    “Further to the evacuation and to ensure adequate care for the injured, the Director-General Mohammed Sani Sidi has visited some of the hospitals with directive that adequate and free medical treatments should be provided for all the victims.

    “Meanwhile, the agency, in collaboration with other response agencies, has provided this detail of the casualty in various hospitals.”

    Police Force Public Relations Officer CSP Frank Mba said: “In a swift reaction to the Monday morning, 14th April, 2014 blast at a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of about 30 kilometres from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar has visited the scene of the explosion where he assessed the extent of damage and the impact on the surrounding environment.

    “He urged the citizens and the international community to remain calm and vigilant as the police and other security agencies are stepping up measures to uncover the authors of the crime and avoid a reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.

    “The IGP further noted that security agents have relentlessly worked round the clock with significant success to stave off such attacks on the Federal Capital and the entire country at large.

    “He therefore reassured Nigerians and foreign nationals that security agencies will do anything possible to further strengthen the security within and beyond Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Consequently, the IGP has placed police operatives on red alert.

    “He has equally ordered the police to intensify surveillance on all vulnerable targets within Abuja.

    “Meanwhile, the police, supported by other law enforcement agencies, have commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident with the deployment of the Police Anti-Bomb Squad and other detectives to the scene with the view to solving the crime.

    “Regrettably, seventy-one (71) persons have been confirmed dead while one hundred and twenty-four (124) persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

    “While commiserating with the families of the victims of the blast, the IGP called on the members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear and to cooperate with the police by providing useful information in order to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.”

     

  • Rainy season: NEMA advocates proactive measures to avert disasters

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged disaster managers to be proactive in preparing for this year’s rainy season.

    Malam Musa Ilallah, the North West Zonal Coordinator, made the appeal on Tuesday at a one day workshop on “Comprehensive Disaster Management: Preparedness and Coordination for Response Emergencies” in Kaduna.

    “Disaster knows no boundaries; unless disaster management and risk reduction are effectively driven at all levels, their impacts will be extremely difficult and costly to address.

    “We face human tragedy and heavy economic losses from disasters whose frequency and intensity have escalated in recent years in the country.”

    He said stakeholders across jurisdictions, sectors and disciplines should be aware of activities needed to be undertaken prior to disasters.

    Ilallah said there was the need for everyone involved in disaster management to work together and build a culture of preparedness, prevention, response and resilience to disaster in the communities.

    In his lecture entitled “Communication and Information Sharing“, Ishaq Alhassan, a lecturer at Kaduna polytechnic, called on Journalists to educate the people on disaster management.

    “ There is a lot the media can do to avert disasters or reduce the extent of preventable disasters instead of waiting for disasters to happen and then rush in to get the number of deaths and extent of damages.”

    Alhassan said stakeholders had roles to play in ensuring that there was an adequate preparation for disasters in Nigeria.

  • Fire at CBN Lagos office

    Fire at CBN Lagos office

    •Security agents molest photojournalists

    THERE was fire yesterday at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Lagos complex.

    The dusk fire affected the administrative offices on the third floor. In the course of battling the fire, on the third floor, a fire service official collapsed, no thanks to suffocation.

    According to National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) Southwest spokesman, Ibrahim Farinloye, the yet-to-be identified fireman was rescued and rushed to the hospital.

    Farinloye said nobody died, adding that the Lagos State Fire Service personnel were on ground on time to contain the situation.

    Lagos fire service Director, Rasaq Fadipe, said his men were clamping down the offices and breaking the windows and doors to check for any small fire that might not have been put off.

    In a statement last night by Isaac Okorofor, the CBN said:”The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wishes to inform its stakeholders and the general public that a fire incident occurred at its Lagos Branch Office at about 5:30 this evening (Tuesday, March 25, 2014).

    “The fire, which occurred on the first floor of the building, has been put out by a combined team of fighters from the CBN and other institutions.

    “We wish to assure our numerous stakeholders that the records of the Bank are intact, as the Bank has an effective backup of all its records, as part of our disaster recovery infrastructure”

    Two photojournalists with the National Mirror Newspapers, Yinka Adeparusi and Samuel Adetimehin, were yesterday brutalised and had their cameras vandalised and confiscated by men of the Nigeria Police Force at the scene of the fire.

    Both photojournalists were ordered to surrender their cameras were beaten.

    Adeparusi was later whisked to the Area ‘A’ Police Station where he was detained before he was released later.

    Adetimehin, who was the first to be attacked was left to writhe in pain after he had received punches from the policemen.

    The two photographers have been placed under medical care.

  • Update: 13 die, five injured in Lagos boat mishap

    Update: 13 die, five injured in Lagos boat mishap

    Death toll in the Lagos boat  mishap in Festac  is now 13 with  five persons rescued alive and four still  missing .
    The incident was said to have occurred at a river at fourth avenue, opposite 41 road junction at about 11:10pm.
    It was learnt that the location were the mishap occurred has been a hot belt for oil vandals in the neighbour.
    The Nation had last year reported the activities of vandals there who are alleged to be aided by security operatives in Festac.
    Confirming the disaster, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Femi Osayintolu and spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye said 13 bodies have been recovered dead.

    Osayintolu said: “13 confirmed dead and five alive .Those that are alive have been taken to LASUTH for treatment. Operation is still on going”.
    According to Farinloye, rescue agencies got a distress call at about 11:10pm.
    “We received a distressed alert around 11:10. Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), National Inland Water Ways, Marine Police, LASEMA, POLICE Disaster Unit, Navy Air Wing and NEMA were immediately mobilized to search.
    “We were told that over 15 persons were onboard the boat and by the time we got to site, we recovered 13 dead bodies.
    “Some person were also rescued alive and have been taken to the hospital, while rescue operations is ongoing ,” he said.