NEMA Newsletter by Sani Datti

Vol. 5 No. 15 March 2013

Mohammed Kanar

Mohammedkanar@yahoo.com

Vol. 5 No. 15 March 2013

08033035986

NEMA Records 80 Distress Alert Signals from Air and Sea in 2012 Musa Ilalla Ag. Zonal Coordinator

Musahk123@yahoo.com

08033146397

NEMA Records 80 Distress Alert Signals from Air and Sea in 2012 pg1 NEMA South South Trains Journalists In Emergency Management pg2 Value Re-orientation for Conflict and Disaster Management needed pg2 NEMA alert on impending flood pg3 Umesi Emenike Zonal Coordinator

NEMA Donates Relief Materials To Displaced Persons In Kaduna pg3

Godwin Tepiko Assistant Zonal Coordinator South-South

Head Operation Office

Gombe Operation Office

Apollo Jediel Head Operation Office Hajia Zainab Umar Ali Assistant Head

Content Supplied by: NEMA Public Relations Division

Media Vital to Disaster Management, Says THISDAY Editor pg6

No 6 ITF Building Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Maitama Abuja Fmr. Oil Seed Processor Ltd. BCGA Biu Road Gombe State

NEMA Conducts Counter Terrorism Exercise pg7 nemagombe1@yahoo.com nemagombe1@gmail.com

08036611305 08129019121 08037332660 08085908626

NEMA distributes medicament to NYSC Orientation Camps pg7 All correspondences should be addressed to: Public Relations Division, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, No. 8, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Maitama, Abuja. E-mail: nemapress@yahoo.com

Representatives from the Armed Forces with The Director Search and Rescue NEMA Air Commodore Charles Otegbade he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA has disclosed that its Mission Control Center (MCC) received a total of 80 distress alert signals in 2012 from maritime, aviation and land users.

Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade he said â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the mission control center represents the eyes, your organizations represent the arms and leg of this effort to reduce the loss of human lives during emergencies."

The Director General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi disclosed this at a stakeholders' consultative meeting on coordination of satellite aided search and rescue services in Nigeria which was held in Lagos. Sani-Sidi said the computer based satellite technology that uses the COSPASSARSAT hi-tech system/facility, had helped search and rescue officers to respond promptly to distress calls and rescuing victims, especially on the high sea where most of the distress alerts came from.

In his presentation, the head of NMCC, Navy Captain B. Iyalla told the stakeholders that there were many cases of false alerts from unknown sources and several others were also undetected. But the mission was able to rescue 26 persons on-board a vessel registered in Nigeria that was involved in a fire incident at Escrvos.

The system is designed to pick distress alerts and location data to assist in search and rescue operations, using spacecraft and ground facilities to detect and locate the signals of distress beacons. It also facilitates the speedy location of distress alerts even in remote locations. Represented by the Director Search and

Issues discussed were the high rate of false alerts; roles of various stakeholders in following up alerts; reliability of the existing beacon data base; extant regulations on beacon acquisition, registration and coding in Nigeria and reported cases of accidents where beacons do not trigger. Stakeholders in attendance were, NIMASA, NCCA, NAMA, AIB, Police, Air Force, Navy, and private operators.

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NEMA SOUTH SOUTH TRAINS JOURNALISTS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

he South South Zonal Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organized a workshop for Journalists and media officers of stakeholder agencies in disaster management.

In her welcome address, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Valery Ebe while lauding the agency for the vision and commitment to reducing the risk of disaster to its barest minimum urged the journalists to ensure that Nigerians are properly informed about disasters and how to prevent them. The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi in his opening speech read by the South South Zonal Coordinator, Emenike Umesi said the decision of the agency to train Journalists and media officers was to bridge the gap noticed when media men report disaster. The DG further reaffirmed the agency's commitment to partner with the media to ensure that information about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is always promptly communicated to the public and urged the press to reciprocate by keeping the public informed.

The Journalists were trained on Basic Principles of Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Reduction, the NEMA South South Zonal Coordinator Mr Umesi Emenike (6th right) in Role of the media in Emergency Management, group photograph with the journalist Introduction to Basic First Aid, Fire Scene Management, Accident Scene Management, Social Media and Disaster Management and 2013 Rainfall Predictions: The two-day training which was held at Uranus Hotels, Uyo, The way Forward. Akwa Ibom State was in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency which is under the Resource persons were drawn from the Academia; Red Cross; office of the Deputy Governor. Fire Service; FRSC and NEMA.

Value Re-orientation for Conflict and Disaster Management needed takeholders at a workshop for peace building and conflict management for sustainable development have harped on value re-orientation for conflict and disaster management in Nigeria.

Organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, National Orientation Agency and National Boundary Commission, it was held in Kaduna. The participants, who were mostly representatives of communities, religious b o d i e s a n d N o n - g ov e r n m e n t a l o rg a n i s at i o n s , c a l l e d fo r act i ve collaboration among government and private organizations and communities

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to promote peaceful coexistence and safety through value reorientation among the citizens.

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NEMA alert on impending flood

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has released its Early Warning Information for 2013, alerting communities living on flood plains to relocate immediately or face the consequences. The NEMA Director General, Muhammand Sani Sidi while reading out the implication of the Seasonal Rainfall P re d i ct i o n s by t h e N i g e r i a n Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to reporters in Abuja said that the prediction had shown that most of the states that witnessed flood in 2012 might again be flooded this year. Of particular concern to the NEMA boss are states in the South-South, some in the North Central, urging them to clear their waterways to ensure free flow of water. He regretted that the agency spent about N1.3 billion to manage the crisis caused by last year's flood, and to avoid a reoccurrence, he urged people living in flood plains to move to safer places. He said a survey carried out on the causes of the 2012 flooding revealed that most houses that were flooded were either built on waterways or flood plains, saying, “you will agree with me that most of the emergencies confronting us are human induced.”

“It is on record that simple compliance to physical development regulations and the avoiding of construction of flood plains can go a long way in reducing the risk of flooding in both urban and rural areas of our communities,” he added.

Sani-Sidi, however, called for a close collaboration between all relevant stakeholders, disclosing that NEMA has already partnered with relevant NonGovernmental Organisations, and is closely working with members of the Sani Sidi mentioned that the agency has Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC) started carrying out advocacy visits to enlisted in the EMV programme. affected state governments for them to relocate the vulnerable communities to NIMET, during the yearly rainfall forecast avert the disaster that this year's seasonal had predicted that some parts of the rainfall may bring. To ensure effective country may experience an unusual delivery of relief materials, the DG rainfall amount this year, which may lead revealed that the agency has put in place a to another flood disaster. The agency contingency plan, and have stockpiles of mentioned that normally there is likely to relief materials in all its six Zonal offices, be a normal onset of rains in 2013 in most emphasizing that the priority now is to parts of the country, as the onset date improve on infrastructure and acquiring would be between late February in the equipment to enable officers carry out South, Mid April in the central part, and their duties without inhibitions. early June in the North. Lamenting that of the 36 states in the country, only 24 have functional state emergency management agencies; he stressed the need for state governments to strengthen SEMAs and local governments to boost their disaster management capabilities. He said, “NEMA is not a first responder. The first responders are the Nigerian Police, Fire Services, Federal Road Safety (FRSC), and others while it is the duty of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to coordinate such response.

The agency, however, warned that Dams that are likely to have excessive rainfall may overflow and collapse, causing loss of lives and livelihoods as well as displacement of people. It warned that government should ensure that dam authorities carry out proper operation and maintenance of their infrastructure. “In particular, all the major dams should be routinely monitored to ensure that the operation rules are adhered to in order to detect weaknesses, if any, and repair as appropriate,” it added.

NEMA Donates Relief Materials To Displaced Persons In Kaduna he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) donated relief materials to displaced persons in Fadan Atakar, Kaura Local Government area of Kaduna following recent attack. The Zonal Coordinator Musa Illallah, who presented the items to the victims at the Model Primary School, Fadan Atakar, said the materials would serve as palliatives. ``The government alone cannot shoulder all responsibility but we enjoined the people to accept the token so far,'' he said. Illallah said NEMA commensurate with the victims and assured them of government's commitment to ensure that they returned back to their homes. He urged them to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands. The items donated include, 100 bags of 50kg rice, millet, maize, guinea corn, 50 bags of 50kg sugar, 20 litres of vegetable oil and palm oil. The other items are; 500 pieces of spoon, cups and

They identified the imperatives of proactive measures backed by relevant laws for early warning and responses to conflicts and disasters. They also urged governments to e m p owe r re l eva n t agencies with mandates Cross section of participants at the workshop in Kaduna on conflict and disaster, while ensuring social justice and provision of amenities in the opportunities for the youths to contribute communities as well as employment to development and peace in the country.

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plates, blankets, towels wrappers, soap, buckets and mosquito nets. Receiving the items, the Chairman of Kaura Local Government, Mr Komai Badu, said the council had spent N15 million to cater for the displaced persons. He said efforts were being intensified to ensure that the refugees returned back to their settlements in two weeks. Badu, while commending the gesture from NEMA, said the camp had received assistance from the State Government, non-governmental organisations and individuals. Also, the member representing Kaura Federal Constituency, Rep. Gideon Goni, said efforts were being made to put in place a legislation to regulate the activities of pastorals and native farmers. Goni said the house had sent delegation on a fact finding mission on the recent incidence. He assured the people that the government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that normalcy was restored to the area.

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Media Vital to Disaster Management, Says THISDAY Editor he Editor, THISDAY, The Sunday Newspaper, Mr. Tunde Rahman, has described the media as an indispensable factor in the handling of emergency situations, and should partner with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in disaster management.

Rahman made the call in his lecture titled: "Emergencies, Humanitarian Action and Crisis Triangle, held in Lagos during a twoday workshop organised by NEMA on the R o l e of t h e Me d i a i n D i s a ste r Management. The editor said the media is an undeniable important player in the disaster management matrix especially in the area of risk reduction advocacy, disaster mitigation, preparedness and response. He said: "I noticed that a couple of days ago, NEMA also organised a forum in Abuja where it unfolded what it called the Early Warning Message developed by the agency and other stakeholders to enlighten the general public on the

implications of the 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). "In that prediction, NIMET had alerted the nation that this year's rainfall would be similar to that of 2012 during which many states were heavily flooded, lives lost, thousands displaced and property destroyed. "So NEMA deserves commendation for creating public awareness about the likely adverse effects of NIMET's SRP and how to prepare ahead for them. I believe this is part of the agency's advocacy for disaster mitigation and management." He added, "NEMA has identified the place of the media as an important player in the disaster management matrix especially in the area of risk reduction advocacy, disaster mitigation preparedness and response. " T h e i r i n te r act i o n i s b e c o m i n g increasingly important to the outcomes of effective humanitarian action. Gone are the days when success was determined

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NEMA CONDUCTS COUNTER TERRORISM EXERCISE

essentially by humanitarian organisations and their efforts.

"The news media have become a major humanitarian actor in its own right, helping to frame the context in which governments formulate policy and how humanitarian action is mounted."

The exercise which was organized in conjunction with the United States National Counter Terrorism Center, focused on the use of vital assets such as independent protective devices and chemical pollution level detection instruments.

He noted that in carrying out their functions, individuals from all the three groups- government policy makers, humanitarian bodies and news mediaseek contact and cooperation with the each other. He however admitted that there are c o n st r a i n t s a n d l i m i t at i o n s o n government's response to emergency situations. He said, "The media and humanitarian organisations may criticise governments for not responding effectively to complex emergencies, but there are, in fact, major c o n st r a i n t s a n d l i m i t at i o n s o n government action which include, political constraints, organisational and resource limitations.”

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

o improve the capacity of stakeholders in rescue operation whenever terrorists attack, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted a tabletop simulation exercise on counter terrorism at the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja.

NEMA Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi, while declaring the exercise open said it has become necessary now that terrorism is on the rise in Nigeria and the entire West African sub-region. He explained that the simulation exercise would identify capabilities and gaps inherent in the level of preparedness of relevant agencies to meet the exigencies of terrorists' attacks. “Of recent, Nigeria as a nation has had its fair share of this ugly phenomenon that has now made it necessary for us to gather in this serene environment to practice an articulated scenarios based tabletop simulation exercise to enhance our capacity towards facing this challenging phase of our national development,” he stated.

to build its proposed Centre for Disaster and Emergency Management (CDEM) and that once the land application is granted by Federal Capital Territory, construction work would commence immediately. According to him, the centre will be a coordination point for stakeholders in emergency management both in the public and private sectors.

He insisted that as the only statutory body with the task of coordinating emergency response stakeholders, the agency has the responsibility to get everyone ready for any eventuality.

Speaking earlier, United States Ambassador, Terence P. McCulley said the exercise that was being conducted jointly by the American National Counter Terrorism Centre would help to identify national capabilities, identify gaps, value needs, among others.

He thanked the US Government for all the support it has extended to Nigeria in the area of national emergency preparedness and especially the National Pandemic Disaster Response programme. He also disclosed that NEMA has applied for a land upon which

1.CALL NEMA EMERGENCY CALL CENTER ON:

DG NEMA Muhammad Sani-Sidi (c) displays survenir from the Ambassador of the United States of America in Nigeria Mr Terrence McCulley (r) at the opening of the exercise

He noted that terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria but a collective problem of the entire sub-region as it is also being experienced in Mali and other countries.

NEMA distributes medicament to NYSC Orientation Camps

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he Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Sidi, in appreciation of the role of NYSC in fostering unity in the country and commitment to the NEMA/NYSC collaboration fo r p ro act i ve d i s aste r m a n ag e m e n t i n t h e country, has purchased and distributed some medicaments meant to aid and strengthen camp clinic f o r 2 0 13 B a t c h " A " Orientation Exercise.

2. To give the following information: a. Location of incidence, Accident or Emergency. b. Name of street or location. c. Prominent landmarks. d. Type of Emergency (Fire, Road, Accident, Floods e.t.c ). e. Number of people involved. f. What actions are being taken by agencies on the site, no. of Ambulances e.t.c. g. Any other useful information. PLEASE NOTE THAT QUICK AND CLEAR INFORMATION WILL ENHANCE QUICK RESPONSE AND CONSEQUENTLY THE SAVING OF PRECIOUS LIVES.

for the sake of the distressed

The South East Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Onimode A. Bandele representing the DG during the presentation at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu, Enugu State, assured the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Nasamu of the Agency's continuous partnership and collaborations. The distributions of these medications run concurrently at Abia and Imo States Orientation Camps. NEMA officials presenting the drugs at the NYSC camp

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The meeting of NEMA and Chief Executives of SEMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was held in Lafia, Nasarawa State

Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State Luka Damishi, DG NEMA Muhammad Sani-Sidi, DG NOA Mike Omeri and others at the opening of the meeting

Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State Luka Damishi making remarks

A cross section of NEMA officials

Participants making presentation at the meeting

A cross section of NEMA Zonal Coordinators

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NEMA organize a National Consultative Workshop on 2013 flood held Abuja

R-L Minister for Environment Hajiya Hadiza Mailafiya, Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uguaghan and DG NEMA Muhammad Sani-Sidi

DG NEMA Sani-Sidi after the decoration of the Environment Minister and Delta State Governor as Emergency Management Executive Volunteers

DG NEMA decorating Delta State Governor Dr. Uduaghan as Emergency Management Executive Volunteer while Environment Minister Hajiya Mailafiya looks on.

R-L Delta State Governor Dr. Uguaghan, DG NEMA Muhammad Sani-Sidi, Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties Ikisikpo Marcus Clever and House of representative Committee on emergency and diasater Preparedness Ifedayo Sunday abegunde

L-R Hon Ifedayo, Dr Uduaghan, Sani-Sidi and Senator Ikisikpo

Cross section of participants at the workshop