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| Photo shows l-r: DG, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Dunoma, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria, Mr Salem Alshamsi and Director, Middle East and Gulf Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Sule during the hand over of relief items donated by the Government of UAE for flood affected persons in Nigeria at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday, September 15, 2024 |
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, conducted an inspection of camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by recent floods in Maiduguri on September 16, 2024.
They were joined on the inspection by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, and chairman of Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu.
During the visit, Governor Zulum commended NEMA for its swift response in evacuating trapped individuals and providing essential relief supplies at the camps.
At Bakassi camp, Governor Zullum after inspecting NEMA’s mobile clinic where staff were providing medical services to the displaced persons, appreciated the DG NEMA, Mrs Umar for being efficient in deployment of search and rescue teams and relief assistance.
According to a press statement signed by NEMA’s head of Press Unit, Ezekiel Manzo, the governor said NEMA deserves to be properly funded to adequately carry out its mandates as he commended the Director General for being prudent with resources released to the agency.
The governor said, "we are happy to note the presence of NEMA working assiduously with the Government of Borno State. We believe with their collaboration we can achieve the objective of supporting the displaced communities.
"The most important thing that we expect from NEMA is to ensure effective coordination of all the support that are coming from non-governmental organizations and other organizations. We are ever ready to collaborate with them.
"NEMA activities does not only include provision of support to flood victims but also in other areas such as fire amongst others. Therefore, I am also pleading on behalf of NEMA for the Federal Government to provide additional resources to them so that they can carry out their functions efficiently.
"While appreciating the kind of support that they give, on my part as member of the National Economic Council, we shall also put heads together with my colleagues to see how we can support NEMA to carry out its duties as at when due.
"On behalf of the Government and people of Borno State, I want to most sincerely appreciate NEMA for their continued support, especially for their sympathy and empathy to the people of Borno as we have seen them working round the clock in all the camps. What matters is their contribution and sense of humanity that they have for the people of Borno State."
At NEMA warehouse, the Director General NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar informed the governor about materials that have been deployed to the camps and more in the store to assist the IDPs. She also briefed the governor about facilities deployed by the agency, including the mobile intensive care unit ambulances, mobile water treatment plant, strengthening of search and rescue operation with deployment of additional team members from Abuja, Gombe, Yola and Jos to join the Maiduguri staff as well as camp management officers.
In his remark, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu, SAN, said "I am happy the store is not empty despite being under budgeted. It is high time the Federal Government of Nigeria rises to the occasion following the calamity that has befallen not only Maiduguri but many parts of the country that have experienced perennial flooding.
"I want to use this occasion, on behalf of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, to appeal to Mr President to properly fund NEMA so that NEMA can live up to its responsibilities.
"We appreciate the little funding. I am proud that the Director General NEMA and her team are doing well with the meagre resources at their disposal."
On arrival in Maiduguri on Sunday, September 15, 2024, for the second time since the occurrence of the flood, the DG NEMA a paid courtesy call on the governor during which she commiserated with the government and people of the state, especially those affected by the flood.
The DG NEMA also supervised ongoing rescue at some areas where she commended the team and urged them to consider their efforts as service to humanity and the nation.
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