NEMA Newsletter by Sani Datti

Vol. 5 No. 17 May 2013

Mohammed Kanar

Mohammedkanar@yahoo.com

Musa Ilalla Ag. Zonal Coordinator

Musahk123@yahoo.com

Godwin Tepiko Assistant Zonal Coordinator South-South

Gombe Operation Office

Apollo Jediel Head Operation Office Hajia Zainab Umar Ali Assistant Head

Content Supplied by: NEMA Public Relations Division

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

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NEMA PLEDGE TO TRAIN ITS STAKEHOLDERS FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT

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Umesi Emenike Zonal Coordinator

Head Operation Office

Vol. 5 No. 17 May 2013

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T Nema Pledge To Train Its Stakeholders For Effective Disaster Management pg1 Insurance companies pay N23.5bn to flood, fire victims pg2 Kogi State Government seek NEMA support on flood pg2 Building Collapse: NEMA Acquires excavators for Rescue pg3 Flood Can Be Avoided…with environmental sanitation NEMA DG pg4 NEMA Solicits Support On Disaster Reduction pg4 NASS Proposes Department of Flood Mitigation and Insurance pg6 Nigeria Loses N50bn to Fire Outbreak Yearly pg6 NEMA To Assist Congo On Disaster Management 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

he National Emergency Management Agency has pledged to continuously train and enhance the capacities of stakeholders in disaster management to minimize losses of lives and property from disaster situations.

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi stated this in Minna at a training exercise on disaster management and emergency rescue operation facilitated by the Agency for officers of Nigerian Airforce, Quick Response unit, Minna. He said as the agency's responsibilities range from formulation of policies on all activities relating to disaster m a n ag e m e n t a n d coordination of plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters, it will continue to provide all the necessary support within its capacity to critical stakeholders.

civil- military coordination mechanism, describing the military as very strategic when it comes to disaster preparedness, response, civil protection and timely delivery of relief assistance.

L-R Commander Quick Response Force Air cmdr Ben Chiobi Commander 237 NAF base service group Minna Air cmdr S Zakari Director of Training NEMA Engr. D B Gambo at the site of simulation

Represented by NEMA's Ag. Director of Training Engr. Daniel Balarabe Gambo, he said the training which was at the instance of the NAF unit was designed to improve the operational efficiency of the personnel. NEMA will continue to cherish its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force and other stakeholders towards reinforcing the valuable synergy, cooperation and collaboration. He further said the exercise was in line with

The training covered; Overview of Disaster Management, Incident Management System, Rope Rescue Techniques, Rescue from Collapsed Structures, Techniques for Extrication, Mass Casualty Incidents, Camp Management and Administration as well as a Simulation Exercise. Speaking, the Commandant Quick Response Force, Air Commodore Ben Chiobi, appreciated NEMA for the training as he noted that in emergency management no single agency can do it alone. He assured NEMA of the unit's support at anytime.

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Insurance companies pay N23.5bn to flood, fire victims

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ew statistics emanating from the Nigerian insurance industry shows that insurance companies have greatly mitigated losses from fire and flood disasters by some corporate organisations in the country.

Prestige Assurance Plc led a consortium of insurance firms to insure the Dana aircraft that crash landed at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State last year. The victims included 153 passengers aboard the ill-fated plane and 10 residents of the area.

An investigation carried out by a newspaper showed that insurance companies paid N23.5bn as claims arising from four major flood and fire disasters in some parts of the country in the last four years.

Over N418.94m has so far been paid by the insurance company out of an estimated N5 billion emanating from the disaster to the relations of the deceased while others are still trying to process the necessary documents to facilitate the payment.

Dangote Sugar, Dana Airline, FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Nigerian Bottling Company were the four notable companied that filed claims against fire and flood loses and got compensated for their loses.

In 2011, a devastating flood ravaged most parts of Lagos State and Ikeja-based firm, FrieslandCampina WAMCO was one of those affected. Following this, the company filed a compensation claim of N3.5bn.

In 2012, Dangote Sugar Refinery Company Plc submitted a claim of N7bn to its insurers following a devastating fire incident at its factory.

The Nigerian Bottling Company got an interim claim totalling N8bn from seven insurance companies for the damage done to its plant at Eyaen near Benin City, Edo State in 2009 due to a fire incidence.

Kogi State Government seek NEMA support on flood

i t h t h e seasonal predictions of severe rainfall and likely floods in some parts of the country, the Kogi S t ate g ove r n m e n t h a s requested the support of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in preparations to evacuate the vulnerable communities in the state to safer locations.

food items and medicaments in the camps. The Governor appreciated the Agency for always responding to disaster issues in the state and helping in the provision of early warning alerts.

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Building Collapse: NEMA Acquires excavators for Rescue orried by the incidences of building collapse, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has acquired excavators for quick responses in the removal of rubbles and rescue of trapped victims.

Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi disclosed this when he received a delegation from the International Federation of Surveyors that visited the Agency in Abuja. He said the excavators would be stationed in major cities with high incidence of building collapse to be deployed along with the other specialized equipment such as life locator, search cameras and concrete cutters. He requested the support of professional organizations including that of the surveyors to adopt disaster risk reduction in their codes of practices in line with the global paradigm shift to tackle the increasing complexity of natural and human induced emergencies. This, he said would ensure sustainable collaboration among the professionals and other stakeholders in the areas of emergency preparedness, mitigation and response.

Responding, Director General NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi assured the supports of the Agency to state governments towards efficient and effective management of the predicted flood this year as it has already stockpiled necessary supplies to be deployed on short notice. Therefore, he requested State Governors to facilitate grassroots sensitization on flood and other disasters to increase the resilience of communities and reduce the vulnerability of the people.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the recent past we have recorded series of crises in form of communal conflicts arising from boundary disputes between hitherto peacefully co-existing groups of people across Nigeria. These are occasioned by disagreement between individuals and communities over land boarder delineation,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

the process of strengthening the relationship with the stakeholders including state governments to improve on the management of disasters in the country.

Leader of the delegation Mr Edward Amupitan said they were in the Agency on technical visit in recognition of its important role as the rally point on disaster management which is very important in national development. The visit was part of activities for the international conference of the Surveyors that held in Abuja

The Kogi State Governor, Wada Idris made the request in Abuja when he visited the Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi. He said with the ugly experience of last year when several Kogi State Governor Captain Idris Wada receiving NEMA's publication from communities were Director General Muhammad Sani Sidi during a visit to the Agency devastated by flood, the state government has responded to the early warning alerts of the likely reoccurrence of the Sani Sidi said the Agency has mapped out areas that are situation and commenced the construction of camps to vulnerable to flood which he promised to make available to the accommodate people from the vulnerable communities to be Kogi State Government for better preparation ahead of the evacuated. predicted disaster. He also stated that NEMA has commenced He requested NEMA to support the efforts of the state government by providing basic household needs such as tents,

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Sani Sidi tasked the surveyors to assist in proper delineation and documentation of land borders to reduce communal conflicts and unnecessary loss of lives and property. He also called on the surveyors to partner with town planners and environmental protection authorities for sustainable land use planning and environmental management in the country.

Newly acquired excavators

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NASS Proposes Department of Flood Mitigation and Insurance bill for an Act to amend the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act of 2004 passed second reading at the House of Representatives. The bill which seeks to amend the NEMA law and create a Department of National Flood Mitigation and Insurance Programme in NEMA was sponsored by Rep Emmanuel Jime. Leading debate on the merits of the bill, Jime argued that the essence of the proposed legislation was to make NEMA more proactive in its activities. According to him, information received from relevant agencies indicated that the country would likely witness more flooding within the year. The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stressed the need to have a department under NEMA that would be saddled with the duties of

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ensuring that standards of building were properly provided and strictly followed. He pointed out that proper ordinances are not in place to prevent buildings standing in the way of flooding from being erected just as he added that the proposed department which would be under NEMA would ensure that proper procedure was followed. The Coordinator of Journalists Against Disaster Initiative (JADI), Sanya Adejokun has commended the new initiative which he described as“a good development for the emerging disaster management subsector of the economy.” In a statement, Adejokun also highlighted the benefit of insurance cover as recovery measure against disaster. He said it was high time that Nigerians begin to take the matter of insurance more seriously especially with increasing disaster occurrences across the country arising from climate change phenomenon.

He noted that in other economies, most of the loses arising from perennial disaster incidences were being mitigated by insurance companies and called on regulatory authorities to also take steps to boost the confidence of citizens in the insurance industry by prompt settlement of claims. Section 65(1) of the 2003 Insurance Act states that: “Every public building shall be insured with a registered insurer against the hazards of collapse, fire, earthquake, storm and flood.” Public building, in this section comprises a tenement house, hostel, a building occupied by a tenant, lodger or licensee and any building to which members of the public have ingress and aggress for the purpose of obtaining educational or medical service, or for the purpose of recreation or transaction of business.

Nigeria Loses N50bn to Fire Outbreak Yearly C ommandant General of Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Olusegun Okebiorun has disclosed that Nigeria losses at least, N50 billion to fire disaster every year. Okebiorun made this known while speaking at a press conference to mark the International Fire Fighter's Day at the Service headquarters in Abuja on May 4, 2013.

He quoted statistics which showed that in the first four months of 2013, Nigeria had lost more to fire outbreak than in the same period of previous years. "In the past few years, we have noted that this country has lost an average of over N50billion annually. In fact, in the past four months, our statistics show that we have lost much more than we have lost in the first four months of other years." The FFS boss expressed dismay that the number of fire service units in the country was grossly inadequate, stressing that it made it difficult for the Service to adhere to the standard practice of three-minute response time. "The world all over today is striving towards response to emergencies within three minutes or less but today, what we

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NEMA To Assist Congo On Disaster Management

ased on request, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has promised to assist the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) in strengthening its disaster management capabilities.

Congolese Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and Solidarity Mrs Emilienne Raoul made the request when she led a delegation to the head office of NEMA in Abuja to deliver the appreciation of her country to Nigeria for the humanitarian support given last year over the ammunition depot explosions that occurred in Brazzaville and displaced over 14, 000 persons. Raoul said the speed at which the supports were delivered to Brazzaville was a confirmation of solidarity between the two countries and also justified the existence of a vibrant structure for disaster management in Nigeria which her country could further benefit through NEMA Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, who received a delegation from Congo Brazaville said the Agency has developed a number of policies and platforms for disaster management which are carried out in collaboration with the stakeholders. He promised that NEMA would deploy its assets and human resources to enhance the emergency management capacity of the Republic of Congo.

DG NEMA presenting souvenir to the visiting Congolese Minister Madame Emiliene Raoul

The DG also said the humanitarian assistance delivered abroad were in the spirit of international solidarity as approved by the President to support the immediate needs of the people that were affected by disasters. It would be recalled that on 4th March 2012 there were explosions at the ammunition depot in Brazzaville in which about 200 lives were lost and 14, 000 displaced by the disaster. President Goodluck Jonathan immediately sent a condolence message to the government and people of Congo which was followed by the delivery of relief items by NEMA on behalf of the Nigerian Government.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 1.CALL NEMA EMERGENCY CALL CENTER ON:

have (in Nigeria) is far beyond that."

The FFS Boss attributed this to the few numbers of fire stations in the country, stressing that it was impossible to respond to emergencies earlier than twenty minutes after a fire outbreak.

According to the Commandant General, Nigeria has 270 Fire Stations presently but needs an additional 212 to be able to cover the country adequately. He called on government and private bodies to assist in providing supports to the FFS. "Reduction of these emergencies, especially the man made ones falls on each and every one of us as citizens of this country by keeping to the tenets of safety in our environment. "In our homes and offices, we should abide by the safety codes that are necessary for our living." The International Fire Fighter's Day, marked on 4th May of every year, was in commemoration of the death of some Australian fire fighters that died on duty in 1998.

0800CALL NEMA or (080022556362) -TOLL FREE 0929O5777 092905895 08032003555 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

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FLOOD CAN BE AVOIDED …with environmental sanitation NEMA DG oor environmental sanitation - lack of proper solid and liquid waste management exacerbates the negative impacts of flooding and associated hazards in Nigeria, Muhammad Sani Sidi, Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, has said.

The DG stated this in his office, when the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri and some officials of his agency paid a courtesy visit to NEMA Headquarters. During the visit, the NOA presented its campaign initiative “Do the Right Thing: Avoid Dirt, Be Clean” to NEMA. Sani Sidi described the visit as “another important milestone in the dynamic inter-agency collaboration between NEMA and the National Orientation Agency on public awareness creation on sustainable disaster risk reduction and the building of communal resilience in Nigeria. The critical partnership between NEMA and its various stakeholders has become more relevant with the recent experience of widespread natural and human induced emergencies across the nation.”

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A training exercise on disaster management and emergency rescue operation facilitated by NEMA for the officers of the Nigeria Air Force Quick response Force Minna, Niger State

He said the new initiative by NOA was geared towards community sensitization on clean environment and promoting refined values and the duty for care among the populace. There is an existing MoU between NEMA and NOA to bridge the prevailing gap on awareness creation to ensure disaster risk reduction and build well informed and resilient societies across Nigeria. According to Sani Sidi, “While NEMA has overtime developed policies and planning documents on effective disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, the implementation of such important tools is the responsibility of all private and public institutions and well meaning Nigerians.” He said flood disasters can be avoided through increased awareness and compliance to town and country planning regulations and due regards to environmental sanitation and safer hygienic practices among our citizens, adding “Disaster Management is Everyone's Business; we must all play our roles in creating resilient communities.”

Cross section of officers that participate at the training

NEMA Solicits Support On Disaster Reduction

gaist the backdrop of increasing manmade and natural disaster in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is soliciting support from relevant ministries, departments and agencies to curb the menace.

Its Director General, Mohammad Sani-Sidi, also harp on the need for establishing a virile Emergency Management Agency at state and local government levels. Sani-Sidi, stated that in Abuja during a study and strategic visit by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), to the agency stressed the need for a sustained inter-agency cooperation and exchange of ideas between NEMA and its stakeholders including specialised institutions. He said, “you are aware that our country is faced with wide ranging natural and human induced hazards, which require continuous support and collaboration on emergency preparedness, mitigation and response. “It is the collaboration between ties of governments, institutions, individuals and all critical stakeholders that will safeguard lives, properties and vital infrastructure and ensure sustainable development of the country” he maintained.

NEMA officials in a group photograph with NIPSS course 10 participants during a study tour visit to the Agency

The DG pointed out that disasters, as experienced in the recent past, could impede growth including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He called on the NIPSS to work to incorporate in its curriculum disaster risk reduction, so as to bridge the humanitarian development gaps.

Simulation of rescue at quarry explosion as part of the training exercise