It also mandated the same committee to evaluate NEMA’s disaster response capabilities in terms of personnel competencies and response/management infrastructures.
The resolutions of the House followed the adoption of a motion on a “Need to Strengthen the National Emergency Management Agency to Enhance Speedy
Response to Emergencies and Disaster Occurrences in Nigeria,” brought before the House by Philip Agbese (APC, Benue).
Agbese while leading the debate noted that NEMA was established to manage disasters in Nigeria.
He stated that the Act mandates the agency to coordinate and facilitate the provision of resources for disaster curtailment activities in response to distress calls.
He also argued NEMA is charged with the responsibility of formulating policy on activities relating to disaster management and coordinating programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters at the national level;
He noted that “Besides the other sources of funds accruing to the National Emergency Management Agency, the agency receives 20 per cent of funds for Ecological Funds Accounts, amounting to hundreds of billions of Naira from its inception to date;
Agbese noted that the House is concerned about various complaints against NEMA by victims of disasters and stakeholders for its delayed and ineffective interventions, causing concern among stakeholders and victims of disasters.
In his words, NEMA has consigned its function mainly to providing relief materials and does not respond promptly to distress and disaster emergencies;
He added that if NEMA’s current conduct is left unchecked, “Nigerians will lose confidence which would
lead to its eventual transformation into a bureaucratic institution and a cash cow for unscrupulous individuals;
He assured that the House is determined to strengthen NEMA to live up to the expectations of its Establishment Act particularly in the area of prompt and proactive response to disaster emergencies and distress calls;
While adopting the motion, the House further mandated the Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to proffer recommendations on how to improve the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
