Borno Floods: Zulum , Senate C’ttee Chair Appeal for More Funding for NEMA
•Emergency agency’s DG joins governor, others in coordinating response
•NNPC condoles with Borno govt, donates relief items to flood victims
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum and the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, have inspected camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Maiduguri flood.
During the inspection, the governor appreciated NEMA for the prompt supports rendered in the evacuation of trapped persons and provision of relief at the camps.
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.
At the Bakassi camp, Zulum after inspecting NEMA’s mobile clinic where staff were providing medical services to the displaced persons, commended the DG NEMA, Umar for the agency’s efficiency in the deployment of search and rescue teams and relief assistance.
The governor said NEMA deserved to be properly funded to adequately carry out its mandates and commended the DG for being prudent with resources released to the agency.
He said: “We are happy to note the presence of NEMA working assiduously with the government of Borno state. We believe that 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 is coming from non-governmental organisations and other organisations. We are ever ready to collaborate with them.
“NEMA activities do 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 (NEC), 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,” Zulum stressed.
At the NEMA warehouse, the DG of NEMA, Umar, informed the governor about materials that had been deployed in the camps and more in the store to assist the IDPs.
She also briefed the governor on 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 remarks, 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 rises to the occasion following the calamity that has befallen not only Maiduguri but many parts of the country that have experienced perennial flooding in almost all the states.
” 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 be live up to its responsibilities.
“We appreciate the little funding. I am proud that the DG of NEMA and her team are doing well with the meagre resources at their disposal. “
Earlier, the DG NEMA paid a call on the governor to commiserate 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.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, NNPC Foundation, has donated relief items to the recent flood victims in Borno State.
During a condolence visit paid to the Borno state government yesterday, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, represented by the Executive Vice President, Business Services, Mr. Danladi Inuwa conveyed the company’s message to the government and people of the state over the disaster.
Materials provided to the affected communities during the visit include essential supplies such as food, toiletries, beddings and other household items, A statement from the national oil company said.
