The Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mustapha Habib Ahmed has commissioned some newly acquired specialized vehicles and search and rescue equipment to strengthen operations of the Agency.
Speaking at the occasion on Monday, 5th Sept. 2022 in Abuja, the Director General NEMA Mustapha Habib Ahmed said the newly commissioned vehicles and equipment would be deployed to areas of need. He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for granting approval for the procurement of the equipment and acknowledged the supports from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Excerpts from the speech:
“In this auspicious occasion, we are commissioning and inducting brand new specialized emergency response operational vehicles and equipment. It is indeed another testimony to the fulfillment of the vision of the Federal Government of Nigeria on timely and effective disaster response to save lives, safeguard livelihoods and critical national assets.
“There is no doubt that deploying these very important assets will close existing gaps, meet up to the tactical challenges faced by NEMA emergency response personnel.
“It will boost NEMA asset base and enable better preparedness for saving lives. Only last month, the entire NEMA staff received new sets of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) and gear to enable them rescue people in distress during sudden onset disasters and emergencies.
“To the glory of God, the operational vehicles as well as Specialized Search and Rescue Equipment to be inducted into operations today include the following:
• 3 Mobile Intensive Care Unit Ambulances (MICUs),
• 3 Incident Response Vehicles (IRVs),
• 2 Motorized Boats,
• 2 Inflatable Boats,
• 9 Flood Lights, 15 Probe Cameras, 3 Life Locators,
• 15 Breaching Systems, 9 Chain Saws, 6 Concrete Cutters,
• 9 Full Body Harness and 9 Hose Pump Unit.
• Others are 9 Hydraulic Cutter, 9 Hydraulic Hose, 9 Hydraulic Rescue Ram, 9 Hydraulic Spreader, 9 Manual Cutter/Spreader and 3 Concrete Cutting Saws.
“In addition to this brand new assets, I am delighted to announce that, NEMA has recently received 2 mobile water purifier trucks donated by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in addition to the 4 earlier received from the same Agency. NEMA remains grateful to the Government and the good people of Japan for its relentless gestures towards supporting NEMA lifesaving operations nationwide.
“I want to use this occasion to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his consistent support to NEMA as demonstrated in approving the procurement of this vital assets. I also thank the Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, for ensuring that NEMA has the enabling environment to fulfill its statutory mandate of coordinating disaster management in all ramifications.
“Furthermore, I sincerely appreciate our distinguished members of the National Assembly for always standing with NEMA in the onerous task of disaster management.
This laudable support to NEMA has become most appropriate considering the increasing complexity of human and nature induced disasters in the various hotspots nationwide. The assets being inducted today will no doubt enhance the safety and security of NEMA staff and place them in a better position to save lives, restore normalcy and improve our national resilience.
“I thank all our reliable partners and stakeholders in service to humanity including the FCT FEMA, SEMAs nationwide, international development partners, the UN system as well as our teeming emergency volunteers across Nigeria. To the management and staff of NEMA; I sincerely appreciate your immense cooperation, sacrifice and support in this very important task of making our country a better place to live and prosper.
