Consultant Cautions NEMA On Excessive Focus On Relief

A Consultant to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr Seth Vordzorgbe, has advised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on excessive focus on providing relief materials after emergencies and disasters.
Vordzorgbe, the Project Technical Adviser (UNDP) to NEMA gave the advice in an interview with journalists in Lagos.
He spoke after a 2-day workshop on validation of the National Disaster Risk Management (NDRM) policy.
NDRM outlines government’s policy direction on current challenges to reducing risks from hazards in the country and it articulates government’s commitment to disaster risk reduction.
The Adviser said the agency should be more proactive and ensure effective collaboration with other agencies in managing emergencies and disasters.
“Relief is important but it should not be the focus of disaster management. Also, NEMA and Ministry of Environment need to collaborate to manage emergencies effectively,’’ he said
According to him, Nigeria is going to have best policy on disaster management in Africa.
“This policy is a very innovative one; it is a module, it is not a traditional disaster management policy. It speaks to the issue of climate change, conflicts, insurance etc.
“The document is completed and final; the policy will soon be handed over to NEMA and it will be ready for inauguration, ” he said