The federal government has emphasized the importance of collective efforts among all stakeholders to mitigate the impact of floods and has assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.
During a road walk organized to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Abuja, Abbas Idriss, the Director General of FEMA, conveyed this assurance.
He urged FEMA staff to maintain their response time of five minutes or less during emergencies in the FCT.
The director-general stated that the road walk was also aimed at raising awareness about disaster prevention and mitigation in the FCT. It provided an opportunity for staff to maintain their fitness levels, enabling them to carry out their duties optimally.
Mr. Idriss explained, “All stakeholders, including FEMA, will collaborate closely to mitigate the impact of floods. We have established a robust structure and have implemented flood emergency activities in various communities. Additionally, we have engaged with stakeholders and development partners to enhance FEMA’s capabilities. We are well-prepared to respond to emergency situations in the FCT.”
He further added, “This exercise is a regular activity within FEMA as our staff are frequently in the field. We aim to ensure that they are physically fit to effectively handle emergency situations in the FCT.”