In the wake of the recent flood in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency has inaugurated a technical committee to map out the most vulnerable areas in early preparation against occurrence of disasters, including bush and market fire during the harmattan and dry season.
It also warned road users against reckless driving during the Ember months.
The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who disclosed this over the weekend in Abuja, solicited the cooperation of stakeholders and support of international agencies in the protection of communities and building the culture of disaster resilience among the people.
Sani-Sidi spoke when he received in his office separate teams from the United Kingdom Cabinet Office Briefing Room, led by Nick Gibbons, and the newly-appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja Camp, Group Captain Joseph Malgwi.
He said: “We have mobilised our stakeholders and volunteers to be prepared in the likelihood of massive fire incidents in Markets, Farmlands and forests in the harmattan and dry season due to indiscriminate storage of inflammable and bush burning.
“We are closely monitoring the traffic in collaboratiom with our stakeholders during mass-rush of commuters in Ember months so as to minimise risks of road accidents that could involve fuel tankers. While mobile ambulances are strategically stationed in prone areas, sensitization campaigns are essential to reduce the vulnerabilities.”
Sani-sidi said the experiences from the unprecedented flood was a challenge that required synergy among the stakeholders, including the states and local governments, as Nigeria has capabilities to address different kinds of disasters given the necessary cooperation and support.
However, Sani-Sidi said the Agency has already developed a National Contingency Plan to guide timely response to any sudden onset emergency in the country.
In their separate remarks, Gibbons said his team was at the Agency to explore areas of cooperation to assist the country while Group Captain Malgwi said the visit was to strengthen existing working relationship between NEMA and the NAF unit.
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