Pollution: NEMA Wants Emergency Management Agency

The National Emer
gency Management Agency (NEMA), South South zone has called on the Rivers State Government to establish an Emergency Management Agency with a view to tackling the huge environmental challenge facing the state.
The former Zonal Director of the agency, Mr. Emenike Umesi, said this in an interview with The Tide before his transfer to Abuja.
Mr Umesi said that the environmental challenges facing the state cannot be left to NEMA alone.
According to him, the presence of a State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would not only boost the management of disasters but bring the state to terms with others in the zone.
Ïf you have SEMA it will co-ordinate all aspects of emergencies in the state, “it means that from time to time, it would be holding meeting with these agencies and in a more immediate response, tackle emergencies including environmental disasters” he said.
Mr Umesi also dismissed claims that the proposed state emergency agency is a waste of resources, noting that apart from creating fresh employment opportunities, it would lead to the improvement in emergency responses in the state.
In his word, “we are not saying that, the state should go into employment. All we are saying is that the state can pick professionals, from each of the sectors, such as environment and health.
“Pick experts from these areas and assign them with responsibilities.

Lady Ogbulu