Ahead of 2016 rainy season, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, is set to embark on aggressive sensitisation campaign in Anambra communities to forestall flood-related disasters. The South-East zonal coordinator of NEMA, Ejike Udeinya, at his maiden press conference on assuming office in Enugu, also disclosed that the agency would take the campaign to all coastal areas in the zone. Recalling the magnitude of havoc wreaked by flood in Anambra State and other states in recent past, the South-East NEMA boss called on Nigerians to be proactive in management of disaster and emergency situations.
He, however, blamed the worsening cases of flooding on construction of houses on drainages, calling on relevant government agencies to stop giving approvals for such structures. He said, “By the time we do such audience segmentation and sensitisation, they would be able to respond appropriately in any case of disaster.” While unveiling his blueprint, Udeinya, who was transferred from NEMA headquarters in Abuja, said in line with the agency’s vision, his major thrust would be building disasterresistant communities, stressing that “the communities will be properly trained on best measures to mitigate disasters.” He added that to achieve the set goals, “we shall partner with the State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMA, and local government emergency management committees and all other government agencies. “We will collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, especially in training drivers on basic first aid, how to bandage wounds, reduce bleeding, among other things. “We also intend to mobilise all the non-governmental organisations in the field of disaster management, and other professional groups, including the road transport workers, to partner with us in this regards. “Within this period, we shall also target postprimary and tertiary students with messages on basic things they need to do on disaster management. In so doing, we shall make disaster risk-reduction clubs in schools very active.”
Credit: National Mirror
