AVM. Muhammadu Mohammed, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has acknowledged the support of stakeholders in tackling emergencies in Kaduna state but requested for more synergy to tackle emerging challenges.
Mohammed made this known while addressing stakeholders during a flood advocacy visit to Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Thursday in Kaduna.
Represented by Abdulahi Usur, Assistant Director, Research and Forecasting of the agency, said the meeting was necessary to ascertain the level of preparedness of the state to disaster management.
“We are following up on the letter sent to state governments earlier in the year to ascertain the level of preparedness of the state and its collaboration with stakeholders.”
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He said there was a need for the government to evolve strategies to minimize losses through adherence to warning alerts, early preparation, and proper response.
Also, Abubakar Usman, Executive Secretary, SEMA, described the stakeholders’ meeting as time while expressing optimism that with such meetings, a positive impact on emergency interventions would be archived in the state.
In his remark, Abani Garki, NEMA North West Coordinator, welcomed the new Executive Secretary of SEMA on board, while assuring him of NEMA’s continuous support.
He said that the agency had made preparations ahead of the flooding this year, which included the sensitization of all stakeholders.
Sunday Awulu, State Secretary Nigerian Red Cross Kaduna, assured the DG that stakeholders would not work in isolation, but as a team to tackle disasters.
“Meetings like this bring stakeholders together, help them to know each other better to further collaborate,” he said.
Present at the meeting were officials of the Federal Fire Service, Red Cross, Civil Defence Corps, Police, Army, NOA, NIWA, FRSC, Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, and CSOs.