The House of Representatives‘ Ad Hoc Committee on Flood Management, chaired by Midala Balami, has revealed intentions to mandate the formation of swift-response local emergency committees across all states.
This initiative follows an oversight visit to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, during which the committee identified significant challenges and deficiencies in disaster response capabilities.
Mr. Balami pointed out that the absence of local emergency committees presents a substantial obstacle to effective disaster management. He asserted that these committees would play a vital role in ensuring prompt responses in the event of disasters.
The committee plans to introduce legislation that requires all states to establish these swift-response local emergency committees, with a compliance deadline set for the end of September. Mr. Balami committed to actively monitoring the implementation of this initiative.
He underscored the necessity of coordination and appropriate resource allocation in disaster response efforts. The establishment of offices in all 36 states, along with sufficient resources, is expected to greatly enhance response effectiveness.
Additionally, Mr. Balami advocated for a shift in focus towards disaster prevention and mitigation rather than solely on response strategies. He emphasized the critical role of standardization and enforcement of measures designed to prevent emergencies, particularly flooding, which could ultimately save more lives than response efforts alone.
While acknowledging NEMA’s ongoing efforts, he urged for increased resources and support to ensure effective disaster response coordination. He noted that prevention and mitigation require greater emphasis within disaster management.
The committee is also planning further discussions with NEMA and other pertinent agencies to create a cohesive strategy for tackling flooding in Nigeria.
Zubaida Umar, the director-general of NEMA, has urged the committee to expedite the pending bill, expressing confidence that its passage would significantly enhance NEMA’s flood management capabilities.
Ms. Umar highlighted that, despite NEMA’s accomplishments, the agency has encountered numerous challenges, including
