The Senate committee on special duties has advocated for more support to strengthen the capacity and operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to manage the increasing spate of disasters in the country.

The committee made the recommendation when its members visited the agency on an oversight visit. This is contained in a statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel, spokesman for the agency, on Sunday.

According to the statement, committee chairman Yusuf Yusuf said the increasing incidents and complexity of disasters required efficient response, which could only be achieved with proper investment in disaster management.

Mr Yusuf said the visit was to appraise budget implementation by NEMA and commended the agency’s management for being prudent. Ishaku Abbo, a committee member, added that disasters were inevitable and called for early preparations with proper funding and equipment for a proactive response to save lives and property.

Another committee member, Adenigba Fadahunsi, said NEMA should be supported to engage more in rehabilitation after initial relief interventions in the aftermath of disasters. On his part, Degi Eremienyo commended the management for the successful resumption of air ambulance services with complete maintenance of the agency’s aircraft and meeting civil aviation requirements.

Responding, NEMA director-general Mustapha Ahmed thanked the committee for the oversight visit. He said the agency had continued to receive support and attention from President Muhammadu Buhari in delivering its mandates.

He said the agency’s air ambulance was fully back to serve the nation. He stressed that it was working on strengthening collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to improve disaster management further.

The committee also visited NEMA headquarters, where they were briefed on some equipment at the premises and ongoing maintenance and renovation of the structures.

(NAN)