The Nation Newspaper

Tag: State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)

  • Govt. deploys troops, as gunmen kill 12 in fresh Southern Kaduna attack

    Kaduna state security council said it has deployed troops to Ungwan Pa-Gwandara in Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state, as unidentified gunmen allegedly killed 12 persons in the village at the weekend.

    Reports from the area said that, 21 other persons were seriously injured during the attack by the gunmen.

    Eye witness account claimed that, at about 7:30 to 8pm heavy armed herdsmen invaded the community during a wedding ceremony and opened fire killing 12 people instantly.

    The news about the deployment of the troops to troubled community was contained in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, on Monday.

    According to the statement, the deployment of troops is intended to further secure the area and provide the atmosphere for extensive investigation of the sad incident, and the apprehension and prosecution of the culprits.

    Read Also: Troops arrest three suspected gunrunners

    Quoting the Governor, the statement said, “criminal elements must not be allowed to divide people and wantonly take lives. The governor has sent a message of condolence to the community, expressing his deep sadness at the loss of lives and his sympathy for the victims and their families.”

    He urged anybody with useful information on the attack to kindly contact and make same available to the security agencies near them.

    “The governor has also directed Jema’a local government council and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to, as a matter of urgency, work towards taking care of victims receiving medical attention and provide relief materials to the community,” he added.

     

  • SEMA procures N200m relief materials for flood victims

    Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ), says it has procured relief materials worth N200 million for distribution to flood victims in 21 local government areas of the state.

    Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Sani Dododo told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that the distribution would commence next week.

    He said that the agency procured the items to cushion the effects of the flood that submerged communities and displaced residents especially in seven local government areas of the state.

    “The recent flooding had affected communities in Dandi, Koko, Suru, Bagudo, Yauri, Ngaski and Shanga areas.”

    He added that reported cases of flooding in the remaining 14 local government areas are being assessed by the agency.

    Read Also: 38, 051 IDPs taking refuge in 31 Camps in Plateau – SEMA

    “We will set up a committee to ensure judicious distribution of the assistance.

    ” We will try to minimize the number of the committee members in order to ensure relative control and transparency in the distribution as we will not hesitate to take to court anyone found guilty of diverting the relief,” Dododo said.

    The chairman commended the state government for releasing the funds and assured that all the victims would receive appropriate support.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that materials to be distributed include, rice, millet, maize, guinea, cement, blankets, roofing sheets, mattresses and textile materials, among others.

  • Plateau constitutes eight-man committee to resettle IDPs

    The Plateau Government has constituted an 8-man committee to return Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) from the recent herders/farmers clashes to their original homes.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Rufus Bature, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.

    He said the committee’s terms of reference included identifying the areas affected   by the crises, identifying those displaced and areas they were displaced from and ascertaining the number of people affected and displaced.

    According to him, the committee is also to identify those who have annexed and destroyed villages, working out modalities for effective return of the affected persons to their original homes.

    They are also to make any other recommendations that would facilitate the return of the IDPs to their original places.

    Read Also: Seven paraded for Plateau killings

    He listed areas with cases of annexation to include Jos North, Jos South, Barkin  Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, Bokkos  and Bassa local governments, saying  that  the government observed with dismay the indiscriminate annexation land crises in the affected areas.

    The SSG said that the incidence of annexation was either as a result of fear of being attacked or being chased away by adversaries.

    He announced the appointment of Retired AVM Bala Danbaba as the Chairman of the Committee.

    Other members are Retired Commissioner of Police Patrick Garba, Alhaji Sale Bayari, Da Christopher Mancha, Gwom Rwei Zawan, Acting ExecutiveSec retary of State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ),  Rev. Yakubu Pam and Ibrahim Izang.

    The committee is expected to submit its report in four weeks.

  • Bello donates N5m to windstorm victims

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has donated five million naira to the victims of windstorm in a downpour, which occurred on Monday in Rafin Gora, Kontagora Local Government Area.

    Bello made the donation on Thursday during a joint condolence visit by members of the state executive council and the legislature to the victims of the disaster.

    The News men reports that the governor was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Haliru Jikantoro,

    He gave N200, 000 each to the families of the eight people, who lost their lives, saying the remaining N3.4 million would be given to those whose houses were destroyed.

    The governor maintained that the five million naira was to serve as an immediate succour to the victims before other relief materials would come from the government.

    Read Also: Gov. Bello donates N20m to Bida market fire victims

    According to him, the state government is taking necessary steps to minimise the impact of such disaster in the future.

    In his remarks, the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, represented by Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, thanked the governor for reaching out to the victims when they needed him most.

    The Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ), Abdullahi Inga, said the disaster destroyed more than 100 houses.

    Inga reiterated the resolve of his agency to intensify its sensitisation campaign against building on water ways, as it was a key factor in forestalling future occurrence.

    “From our findings, we understand there is a water channel from the dam meant for irrigation purpose.

    “Unfortunately it is under-utilised and when that happens, the water has to find a way to pass.

    “Sensitisation is key in this kind of situation and we will continue to do that,” he added

    The news men reports that the member representing Kontagora II, in the State House of Assembly, Nura Garba, also donated N500, 000 to the victims.

  • 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

  • Kebbi sets new safety measures after 33 deaths

    Kebbi sets new safety measures after 33 deaths

    Kebbi Government has set new safety measures for boat operators to address the recurring boat mishaps which has claimed 33 lives since April in the state.

    Alhaji Sani Dododo, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) said in an interview on monday in Birnin Kebbi that all boat operators must comply with the new measures.

    “As part of our efforts to curb recurring boat mishaps, we held a meeting with traditional rulers and boat operators and we came up with solutions to the incessant problem in the state.

    “We resolved that henceforth, there will be no transportation on rivers after six in the evening and passengers and loads must be transported separately.

    “The number of passengers to be taken in any boat must be specified and written on the boat to avoid overloading, and  life jackets must be worn by all the passengers in addition to three extra jackets for emergency to be placed on each boat,”  he said.

    Dododo said the measures were precautionary to stop the current practice which endangers lives of passengers.

    “We discovered that a boat that carries 40 passengers is usually loaded with over 100 passengers at a time together with their loads including goats, sheep, cows and camel, all jam-packed in one boat on a river voyage,” he said.

    He added that some boat operators held the superstitious belief that they would never die in river because they inherited the business from their ancestors.

    “They think the river would not kill them since the business was passed unto them from generation to generation.

    “We will not fold our arms and rely on superstitions while people are dying,” he said.

    According to him, the agency will collaborate with the local government councils and Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority to enforce compliance to the new measures.

    The SEMA chairman said the agency would embark on sensitisation campaigns targeting boat operators and local divers on safety and emergency response in case of any mishap.

    Dododo revealed that the agency had adequate staff and was well-funded to carry its mandate, adding that it would set up emergency response offices in the Riverine areas of the state.

    NAN

  • Bagudu orders relocation of 100 households

    Bagudu orders relocation of 100 households

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, has directed the state Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) to relocate 100 households affected by flooding in Dole-Kaina Area of Dandi Local Government to a safer place.

    Bagudu gave this directive in a statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

    He also directed the agency to provide the victims with food items, potable water, drugs and mattresses as well as to resettle them in a virgin land.

    “Their present settlement is no longer habitable. A permanent settlement should be provided for them on a virgin land so as to avoid a recurrence of the problem,” it said.

    He said that the relocation became necessary following the overflow of the River Niger and the displacement of more than 100 households in the border town of Dole-Kaina in Dandi Local Government Area.

  • Flood kills two, ravages 46 communities in Abia – SEMA official

    Flood kills two, ravages 46 communities in Abia – SEMA official

    Heavy flooding has severely ravaged at least 46 communities in Abia, killing two children, an official of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said.

    Mr Sunny Jackson, the Head, Planning, Forecasting and Operations of the agency, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Monday.

    Jackson said that the children drowned when flood submerged their home in Akoli Ohazu Autonomous Community in Aba South Local Government Area (LGA) sometime in July.

    He said that SEMA gathered that the mother of the deceased was busy trying to salvage her property when the flood surged into her house and drowned the children.

    Jackson further said that the 46 affected communities cut across 13 local government areas of the state and that Aba South Local Government area topped the list with 11 communities.

    He said that Aba North came second, followed by Obingwa, Osisioma and Ugwunagbo council areas.

    “Some residents of the affected communities can no longer access their homes because their houses had been completely submerged.

    “Some of the communities have been cut off from their neighbours because flood has washed off their roads.”

    He said that the situation in Abia confirmed the predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency about flooding this year.

    According to him, Abia is one of the states that received alert about the impending flooding in the country this year.

    “This is why I consider it a pure fallacy for anyone to say that there is no flooding in Abia.”

    Jackson expressed delight that succour would soon come to the affected communities.

    He said that Abia was among the 16 states slated to benefit from the N1.6 billion Federal Government Flood Intervention Fund.

    The SEMA official said that the agency was committed to disaster-risk management in the state but expressed regret that the agency’s operations were adversely affected by shortage of personnel and logistics.

    According to him, the agency is in dire need of equipment such as Geographical Positioning System, digital cameras, trucks and ambulances for efficient
    service delivery.

    Jackson described flooding as a natural disaster but noted that it could be escalated or checked through human actions or inactions.

    “Building on flood planes and waterways, deforestation, over-grazing, improper channelling of water, blocking of drains and flood channels are capable of triggering the disaster.”

    He said that to checking the disaster required re-afforestation, desilting of the drains and prohibiting the erection of structures on waterways, among other measures.

  • Rainstorm destroys over 160 buildings in Yobe

    Over 160 buildings were destroyed by a rainstorm which wreaked havoc on four villages in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe on Wednesday.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected villages are Danchuwa, Bogocho,, Jumma and Ardo Shani.

    Eyewitnesses said that although there were no deaths, one boy had bone fractures, while a few others sustained minor injuries.

    They said that the persons whose houses were destroyed had relocated to the houses of their relations within the neighbourhoods or in adjacent communities.

    Malam Isa Audu, a resident of Danchuwa, whose house was ravaged by the rainstorm, said that the storm also swept away foodstuff and other personal belongings.

    “We are now faced with the problems of food and clothing; we urgently need assistance from government and non-governmental organisations,’’ he said.

    Alhaji Musa Jidawa, Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said that a team of officials had been despatched to the affected communities to assess the level of damage caused by the storm.

    “After the assessment, our findings will determine the scope of our intervention to provide succour to the victims.

    “Government will provide them with their immediate needs so as to cushion the hardships caused by the disaster and assist them to live their normal lives again,’’ Jidawa said.

  • Flood imminent in parts of Ogun – Govt

    Flood imminent in parts of Ogun – Govt

    Ogun State Government on Wednesday warned that some parts of the state are prone to flooding this year and advised residents to adopt safety measures by desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye who raised the alarm at a press briefing in Abeokuta, the State capital, said the 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicates that Ogun State would experience “above normal rain fall”.

    Other states predicted to be affected by flooding these years, Oyeleye added,  are Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Kwara, Oyo and Adamawa.

    Relying on data from NiMet, he listed Ogun major cities to experience heavy rain fall this year to include Abeokuta with 242 days of 1,295mm rain fall, Ewekoro, 229 days of 2075mm and Ijebu-Ode, 245 days of 1,526mm.

    Other cities are, Ikenne with 240 days of 1,742mm, Ipokia, 247 days of 1872 days, Otta, 243 days of 1810 days and Sagamu with 240 days of 1753mm rain fall.

    According to him, NiMet prediction also revealed that extended rain fall between three to eight days is expected in the cited States.

    The Commissioner advised residents especially those living close to canals,  drainages and other flood planes to desist from obstructing water pathways with refuse.

    Oyeleye explained that there could also be a heavy release of water from the two dams –  Oyan and Ikere Gorge dams, in the State and further aggravate flooding situation.

    He disclosed that the NiMet has also predicted that many Nigerians would likely experience “above danger heat stress this year due to the combination of heat and humidity.”

    “The impact is that exposure to excessive heat for too long could cause heat stress which may, in turn, lead to several illnesses collectively called hyperthermia,” he said.

    Also, the Coordinator of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Aremu Adebakin said the agency had started sensitising residents on likely occurrence of flooding and the need to adopt safety measures.

    Adebakin also urged people living in dilapidated buildings to renovate them or evacuate as soon as possible while others living close to river banks were asked to leave home for the period of the rainy season to avoid loss of lives and property.

    “People living in dilapidated buildings or near river banks should move and not wait for disasters to strike and expect the government to come to their aid,” he said.