The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, alongside the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, conducted a comprehensive inspection of several camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.Â
These camps were set up to shelter individuals who were recently displaced due to severe flooding in the region.
The visit showcased NEMA’s ongoing efforts to provide relief and support to those affected by the disaster.
The Governor, while speaking during the visit, praised NEMA for its swift and effective response in rescuing individuals who had been trapped by the floodwaters.
He acknowledged the agency’s quick intervention in providing relief materials and essential services to the displaced individuals residing in the camps.
Accompanying the Director General and the Governor on this inspection were several high-profile officials, including the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu.
One of the primary stops during the tour was the Bakassi IDP camp, where the delegation observed various relief activities, including the operation of NEMA’s mobile clinic, which provides much-needed medical care to the affected individuals.
During the visit, Governor Zulum commended the tireless efforts of NEMA and its staff in alleviating the suffering of those displaced by the floods.
He also emphasized the importance of securing increased funding for the agency to ensure it can continue to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies in the future.
The Governor noted that with better financial resources, NEMA could enhance its operational capabilities, particularly in disaster-prone regions like Borno State.
In her briefing, Mrs. Zubaida Umar provided detailed insights into the various resources NEMA has deployed in the flood-affected areas.
She highlighted the agency’s deployment of mobile intensive care unit ambulances, a mobile water treatment plant, and additional search and rescue teams, which had been dispatched from various parts of the country to aid in the response efforts.
She assured the Governor and other dignitaries present that NEMA would continue to work diligently to provide the necessary support and resources to those impacted by the flooding.
Senator Kaka Shehu also took the opportunity to advocate for better funding for NEMA. He stressed the need for increased financial support to enable the agency to manage disasters more effectively and to ensure that they have the tools and resources needed to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.
Earlier in the day, before the visit to the camps, the Director General of NEMA had paid a courtesy call on Governor Zulum. During the meeting, she expressed her heartfelt sympathy for the people of Borno State who had been affected by the devastating flood.
She also briefed the Governor on NEMA’s ongoing rescue and relief operations, assuring him that the agency would continue to provide all the necessary support to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
The visit to the IDP camps and the interactions with those affected by the flood underscored the ongoing challenges faced by disaster management agencies in Nigeria.
Both NEMA and the Borno State Government reiterated their commitment to ensuring that those displaced by the flood receive the assistance they need while also calling for a more proactive approach to disaster management and preparedness.
