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NEMA RE-Affirms Commitment To Disaster Management
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established 10 years ago to help disaster emergency management, response and provision of disaster assistance to victims.
But 10 years after, many Nigerians have not figured out the functions of NEMA due to ignorance.
Speaking to a group of journalists recently in an interactive session, the zonal coordinator of NEMA, south-south, Umesi Emenike said the Agency is coming to the centre stage by coordinating, sensitizing, educating and enlightening people by collaborating with other agencies, organisations, in respect to disaster cases.
Emenike noted that the Agency is poised to alleviate the pain and agony of victims of disaster not just from the area of providing relief measures but by assisting during emergency and providing solutions against disaster.
The rural coordinator revealed that earlier in the year, the Agency had warned that there would be flooding in most part of the country and warned that drainage facilities be cleared, but that warning was not adhered to which subsequently caused flooding in most of the states, including Rivers State.
He said the Agency has been working with humanitarian organisations and volunteers to form a kind of synergy that will help adhere government policy in the country.
Emenike who also dived into the recent amnesty granted by the militants, said NEMA may consider taking steps by looking into the plights of communities that were affected by militant activities in the Niger Delta region with a view to rehabilitating them.
He commended the federal government for the amnesty granted to the militants but pleaded that the communities affected during the crisis should be rehabilitated.
He blamed the public for not reporting disasters to the agency promptly pointing that, the act of not informing NEMA was always responsible why the Agency don’t respond to emergency timely.
Emenike urged that the Agency is fully funded and has all type of equipment in ease of rescue or emergency period.
According to him, During disaster or emergency period, NEMA has the statutory power to order any company to move its equipments to the disaster area immediately. “This is because we collaborate with all the Agencies and organisations in the country he added.
He noted that if crisis or accidents is re ported in time, NEMA is always up in meeting up the task.
The zonal coordinator disclosed that the Agency has commence training of new volunteers in Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers State on ways to manage emergency, response to crisis and general road safety. The training also comprises how to rescue people and victims from vehicle, in road accident.
He however announced that the zonal headquarter in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital will organise a summit for emergency management, simulation exercise at the airport, and other measures, towards saving lives and disasters from occurring.
Emenike further advised Nigerians to always ensure timely report of emergency and disaster related cases to enable them effectively respond to them.
Timely reports of emergency cases to appropriate authorities shall in no small measure enhance the performance of the relevant agencies in managing emergency cases he emphasised.
The NEMA boss recalled that the Agency which was established 10 years ago has succeeded in positioning itself well in some concept through the collaboration with relevant organisations and volunteer groups within and outside the country.
As the ember months set in, the Agency said it always organise workshop and public lectures allowing the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to do the talking, sensitizing, educating the drivers and other road users of the need to be extremely careful while on the road.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.