The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says it is strengthening emergency response in the six area councils of the territory.

Florence Wenegieme, director of Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, communicated this during the inauguration of the Local Emergency Management Committee in Abaji, Abaji area council.

Ms Wenegieme explained that the committee was established to ensure disaster risk reduction at the community level in line with the National Emergency Management Agency Act.

She said the act provided for establishing a state emergency management agency at the state level and a local emergency management committee at the local government level.

Ms Wenegieme said the committee would serve as the first responder to emergencies at the community level while awaiting the arrival of FEMA and other supporting agencies.

The director added that committee members would be adequately trained on common disasters and how to carry out rescue operations effectively and inclusively.

The council chairman, Abubakar Abdullahi, pledged to procure vehicles, motorcycles, and other logistics for the committee to strengthen emergency response.

The chairman said the council would also procure a firefighting truck stationed in Abaji if the FCT Fire Service could not do so.

According to him, the step is to ensure a speedy response to fire outbreaks in the area.

He commended FEMA for the tireless efforts to ensure the committee was inaugurated and for the series of sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on preventing or mitigating disasters.

The chairman urged the committee members, whom he said were strategically selected, to discharge their duties honestly and ensure that no one was left behind during emergencies. 

(NAN)