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Tag: NEMA

  • Crises record 135 deaths,12,051 displaced people – NEMA

    Communal crises in Plateau in the last one month claimed 135 lives and displaced 12,051 others, according to a report submitted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and four other agencies.

    The agencies are the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The report,was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Friday,

    It expressed concern over the spate of crises in the state, and particularly observed that the crises are becoming too frequent.

    According to the report, the on-the-spot assessment shows that four local governments – Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Wase – were affected, during which 584 houses were burnt.

    A breakdown of the report shows that 71 persons were killed in Wase, where 3,032 people were displaced and 36 villages affected.

    In Riyom, 14 people were killed, 1,881 displaced, five injured and 269 houses burnt, while 42 persons were killed in Bokkos where 7,121 were displaced, three injured and 313 houses destroyed.

    The report further shows that eight were killed in Barkin-Ladi, two injured, 17 displaced, and two houses

  • NEMA urges media to educate Nigerians on floods, others

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the media to educate the public on the need to heed the warnings of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on impending heavy rains with their attendant floods and other natural disasters.

    The agency noted that the media wield a lot of influence in disaster alleviation and management.

    Its Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande, spoke in Lagos at a workshop for reporters on the essence of the media in crisis situations and how to avoid aggravating such situations with news reports.

    Akande noted that the media, by their role to the society, enjoy public confidence.

    The NEMA coordinator, therefore, urged the media, being stakeholders in emergency management, to enlighten the public on the need to vacate disaster-prone areas to avert crises.

    He said the nation will not experience the magnitude of last year’s floods because the disaster was caused by the opening of dams in neighbouring Cameroon without prior warning to Nigeria.

    Akande added: “I do not foresee the 2012 flood happening in the next 60 years. Part of the reasons for the huge floods recorded in 2012 in some parts of the country was the release of a large volume of water by Cameroon and Niger Republic without prior information.”

    The guest lecturer and Sunday Editor of ThisDay, Mr Tunde Rahman, spoke on: Emergencies, Humanitarian Action and the Crisis Triangle.

    The journalist noted that the media, humanitarian organisations, and government policymakers make up a crisis triangle.

    He hailed NEMA for organising the workshop, adding that the media have become a major humanitarian actor in framing how governments formulate policies and how humanitarian action is mounted.

    Rahman urged journalists to always ensure accuracy of their reports and avoid escalating the burdens of disaster victims by publishing obscene photographs or using terrifying descriptions.

    The editor advised reporters to also show human feelings towards the plight of disaster victims in the course of their duty.

    He said: “Journalists have to be humanitarian. Yes, it is understood that you have to do your jobs, but nothing stops you from giving a helping hand in a crisis situation while doing your jobs. Also, there is need to be interested in post-disaster reporting, to know how the victims of disasters are faring months or years after.

    “But while the growing role of the news media is widely acknowledged, the dynamics of interaction with government policy makers and humanitarian bodies have received little scrutiny till date.

    “For instance, governments do not only make policy but also have their own implementing humanitarian agency, which is NEMA, in our country. Many governmental and private humanitarian organisations seek to influence the processes and results of public policy formation. Again, all implementing agencies are subject to decisions reached by policy makers. Policy makers and implementing agencies as well as their actions could be subject to media scrutiny.

    “In carrying out their functions, individuals from all the three groups seek contact and cooperation with one another. Governments are concerned with decision-making that serves national interests. Humanitarian organisations are concerned with implementation and serve the victims of conflicts and disasters. The media are concerned with reporting crises and responses and serve their consumers, their readers, viewers and advertisers.

    “The objectives of the three ordinarily should be humanitarian. I agree. But I dare say that none of the groups – including any humanitarian organisation – has objectives that are exclusively humanitarian. Their distinct functions may be clear but their distinct interests, structures and limitations, relative to humanitarian action, are not. They remain at best vague.

    “If properly harnessed, the efforts of the media can have significant and positive effects on disaster management. The media have an impact on humanitarian action in high-profile crises: that impact appears to be greater than the impact of humanitarian actors on the media.

    “The imbalance reflects a variety of factors, including the lack of coordination among humanitarian groups and the lack of individual and corporate strategies for relating to the media as an institution.

    “The media can partner humanitarian organisations but such organisations must know how to relate to the media by providing information to the media and carrying the media along.”

  • NEMA: Flooding to affect 28 states

    NEMA: Flooding to affect 28 states

    •Agencies sign MoU on flood control

    Twenty eight states will be affected by flood this year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday.

    It said all the states affected by flood last year would be affected this year.

    The Director-General, Mohammed Sani Sidi, said this at a briefing on Early Warning message and Disaster Management Implication of seasonal rainfall prediction for 2013 in Abuja.

    He said: “The states to be affected are: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara.

    “In the central area, there is Benue, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Others are Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Imo.

    “The forecast cessation period is predicted to be spread over the country from October to December.

    “The prediction length of growing season will vary from 110-300 days, with most of the country experiencing a normal growing season.

    “NEMA is mindful of the fact that during the year any flood disaster, even of lesser magnitude, might result in large-scale devastation.

    “It has, therefore, become necessary to bring together stakeholders, especially the media, to ensure that the early warning message is conveyed to the grassroots.

    “In June, dry spells are expected in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe and Borno states.

    “There is likelihood of late season flooding in Kebbi, Taraba, Niger and Anambra axis.

    “As a result , there could be major challenges of food storage, processing and marketing, these could lead to huge post-harvest losses, if not handled carefully,” he said.

    This year, peak day temperature values are expected to remain too high for comfort, excessive heat resulting from this condition may lead to outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis, heat strokes and measles.

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA), NEMA and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on flood control.

    The MoU, according to the NOA Director-General, Mike Omeri, would help to enlighten Nigerians on waste control and disposal, flood control and to also sensitise Nigerians on the effects of flooding.

    The NESREA Director-General, Ms Ngeri Benebo, said humans contribute a lot to flooding.

    She also blamed it on the lackadaisical attitudes of Nigerians to the environment.

    “Building on flood plain, not adhering to town planning regulations and the blockage of waterways also contribute to flooding,” Ms Benebo said.

    The NEMA DG promised to coordinate all emergency preparedness as the rains approach.

    He urged states and local governments to collaborate on providing safer camps in case of emergencies.

     

     

     

     

  • No bus plunged into the lagoon, says NEMA

    No bus plunged into the lagoon, says NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), has described the alert that a bus threw people into the lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge, as false alert, just as it urged Lagosians to go about the normal businesses.

    NEMA’s spokesman, South-West, Ibrahim Farinloye, had in an earlier telephone interview, confirmed to The Nation that the agency received such an alert, adding that rescue teams have been deployed.

    It however appeared that the rescue team got to the location, only to realise that there was no such incidence.

    Farinloye, who later contacted The Nation, through a text message, said no bus plunged into the lagoon, neither was anyone injured.

    He said: “We got an initial alert that a bus conveying people from the Oworo-Yaba axis of the bridge to Obalande threw the passengers, including a little baby into the river.

    “Rescue operation was immediately activated and when we got there, it was discovered that no such thing occurred.

    “Rather, what happened was that, a BRT bus knocked down very close to Obalende. One of the tyres of the bus pulled out and they were repairing it there.

    “This led to a huge traffic on the bridge, which has also been cleared.

    “No one got injured, nobody died and no vehicle plunged into the lagoon.

    “People should endeavour to pass accurate information to the emergency agencies because issues that have to do with human lives are very crucial.”

     

  • NEMA, US strategises against terrorism

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun a tabletop simulation exercise as a strategy on counter-terrorism at the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja.

    It is aimed at improving the capacity of stakeholders in rescue operation whenever terrorists attack.

    The exercise, organised in conjunction with the United States government, centres on the use of vital assets as independent protective devices and chemical pollution level detection instruments.

    The Director-General of NEMA, Mohammed Sani Sidi, declaring the exercise open in Abuja, said emergency rescue exercise has become necessary now that terrorism is on the rise in Nigeria and West Africa.

    He said: “The simulation exercise will identify capabilities and gaps inherent in the preparations of relevant agencies to meet the exigencies of terrorists’ strikes.”

     

     

     

  • NEMA partners Nollywood

    THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is partnering the Nigerian film industry popularly called Nollywood, in furtherance of its awareness campaign on disaster risk reduction and mitigation strategies.

    The Director-General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, said this yesterday when he received a delegation from the Nollywood led by the Managing Director of Nollywood Factory and Executive Producer of Last Flight to Abuja, Mr. Obi Emelonye, who visited him in Abuja to present a copy of the film, which has been shown in major cities of the world.

  • Police, NEMA: no bomb explosion in Abuja

    The police and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday dismissed the rumour of a bomb explosion at a shopping complex in Lokogoma, a settlement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Force spokesman Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told reporters in Abuja that the rumour was false.

    Mba said no bomb explosion was reported in or around the FCT.

    According to him, investigation by security operatives revealed that only a fire occurred at the shopping complex.

    He added: “It is unfortunate that some people have gone to town to report that it was an explosion; it was a mere fire outbreak at a shopping complex in Lokogoma.

    “Reports reaching us showed that the fire, triggered by an electrical fault, started from a laundry shop at the shopping complex.

    “It was also said that part of the building was razed and there was a big sound. The sound that caused the false alarm came from the compressor of the air conditioning system at the shop.”

    The Force spokesman also said nobody died in the incident, though the property in parts of the building were destroyed.

    He urged FCT residents to disregard the rumour and move on with their legitimate businesses without fear.

     

  • NEMA warns against fire

    As the dry season sets in, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged Nigerians to be careful with fire.

    It also cautioned against indiscriminate bush burning which destroys the eco-system and contributes to climate change.

    The Coordinator, NEMA, Abuja Operations Office, Ishaya Chonoko, gave the advice in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at a forum on fire prevention, mitigation and preparedness organised by NEMA.

    He added: “This event is, therefore, aimed at sensitising all and sundry to be extra careful this dry season in their dealings with fire. Indiscriminate bush burning, such as for hunting purposes should be avoided as this could extend to neigbouring farmlands/houses; destroy the ecosystem and also contribute to climate change.

    “Naked fire should not be left unattended. Bushes close to our surroundings should be cleared. Fire extinguishers should be refilled and kept in handy positions. Dried leaves and papers should be disposed of properly.

    “Electrical appliances should switched off and unplugged when not in use. Observing the would go a long way to check the outbreak of fire as well as mitigate its impacts.”

    The coordinator who was represented by his assistant, Mr. Slaku Bijimi said fire is one of the disasters commonly associated with dry season.

    Chonoko added: “This disaster has caused great losses, including loss of lives, damage and destruction of property worth millions of Naira. These losses are irreplaceable. This cannot be allowed to continue.

    “It has been found out that disaster risk reduction is cheaper and safer than disaster response which is why there is a paradigm shift from disaster response to disaster risk reduction. It is in this light that NEMA is carrying out this programme.”

    The Assistant Chief Superintendent, Kwara state Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, said fire outbreaks occur out of carelessness and ignorance.

    He urged all to be at the vanguard of managing fire outbreaks, saying within a twinkle of an eye fire could consume years’ investments.

  • NEMA warns on dry season challenges

    The National Emergency Management Authority on Wednesday charged Nigerians to be adequately prepared for the challenges of the forthcoming dry season and its associated emergencies.

    The Director- General of NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, gave the charge in his address to stakeholders at a sensitization and awareness workshop held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    He specifically urged Nigerians to be wary of the environment-related epidemics such as Measles, Cholera, Lassa fever and Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM), among others.

    The NEMA boss, who was represented at the workshop by the South West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande, said measles, cholera, lassa fever and CSM are among the 10 most critical health issues associated with dry season, hence the urgent need for the public to guard against them with all seriousness.

    He particularly noted that the International Emergency Data (IED) had confirmed that both the women and children are the most vulnerable people and emphasized the need for them to be more cautious in their health habits by avoiding polluted water and dirty or overcrowded environment.

     

  • Diseases imminent in flooded areas, says NEMA

    •Proposes permanent relocation of victims

     

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised the alarm over a possible outbreak of epidemic in flood-ravaged states.

    NEMA Coordinator, Abuja Operations Office, Ishaya Chonoko said there could be an outbreak of cholera, Lassa fever, measles and other skin diseases.

    He spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a two-day sensitisation and awareness programme on cerebro-spinal meningitis and other flood related diseases, organised by NEMA.

    Chonoko said the agency’s fear was borne out of “the fact that flood waters have contaminated natural sources of water.”

    He said: “The usage of this contaminated water by the victims can lead to an outbreak of diseases.”

    Chonoko, who was represented by his assistant, Slaku Bijimi, advised Nigerians to ensure proper ventilation of their homes.

    “Potable water should be properly covered and periodic washing of hands should be encouraged.”

    Speaking with reporters after the programme, Bijimi said NEMA is proposing a permanent relocation of some of the flood victims to a safer place.

    This, according to NEMA, would guarantee the security of life and property of the victims.

    He added that the agency had sent a proposal on the need for the permanent relocation of the victims to the Presidency.

    “A permanent relocation of the victims is the best option.

    “But you know relocation has to be in agreement with the Federal Government, the state, local councils and even the people.

    “There are cases where you provide accommodation as a permanent solution for people and they abandon it for their flooded abodes.

    “NEMA has sent a proposal to the President on what we think is the way out of the problem.

    “The President went round for an on-the-spot-assessment of what had happened.

    “He now knows that there are some people who cannot go back to their homes.

    “The essence of the Dangote-led committee is to see how there can be a permanent solution to the problem.“

    Bijimi, however said the Federal Government must collaborate with the state governments and the victims before taking a final decision on the relocation.