Dry Season: NEMA begins early preparation against fire incidents

In the wake of the recent flood in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency has inaugurated a technical committee to map out the most vulnerable areas in early preparation against any likelihood of future re-occurrence of disasters including bush and market fire during the harmattan and dry season.
It also warned road users against reckless driving during the Ember months, according to a statement by NEMA Head, Public Relations, Yushau Shuaibu, on Sunday.
The statement quoted NEMA Director General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, as having said these in Abuja on Saturday in Abuja.
The DG solicited the cooperation of the stakeholders and support of international agencies to protect the communities and build the culture of disaster resilience among the people.
He spoke while receiving in his office a team from the United Kingdom Cabinet Office Briefing Room led by Mr Nick Gibbons and the newly appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja Camp, Group Capt. Joseph Malgwi.
Sani-Sidi said, “We have mobilised our stakeholders and volunteers to be prepared in the likelihood of massive fire incidents in markets, farmlands and forests in the harmattan and dry season due to indiscriminate storage of inflammable and bush burning.
“We are closely monitoring the traffic in colloboratiom with our stakeholders during mass-rush of commuters in Ember months so as to minimise risks of road accidents that could involve fuel tankers.
“While mobile ambulances are strategically stationed in prone areas, sensisation campaigns are essential to reduce the vulnerabilities.”
He said the experiences from the unprecedented flood was a challenge that required synergy among the stakeholders including the states and local governments as Nigeria has capabilities to address different kinds of disasters given the necessary cooperation and supports.
However, Sani-Sidi said the agency had already developed a National Contingency Plan to guide timely response to any sudden onset emergency in the country.
In their separate remarks, Gibbons said his team were at the agency to explore areas of cooperation to assist the country while Malgwi said the visit was to strengthen existing working relationship between NEMA and the NAF unit.