By Bisola Adeyemo
No fewer than 2,353,647 Nigerians were affected by flood disaster in various parts of the country in the year 2020.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director-general, Muhammadu Muhammed revealed this on Monday during the presentation of the 244-page of the 2020 NEMA Annual Report to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.
While also commissioning the “Disaster Risk Reduction” equipment in Abuja, Muhammed said the agency delivered humanitarian support for 148 incidents last year with monthly distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in camps in Borno and Adamawa States.
In her remarks, while appreciating the efforts of Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly, Farouq urged NEMA to reflect on the report and work closely with the stakeholders to provide services to deserving Nigerians as at when due.
She said: “I want to admonish you to reflect on the content of the report and forge ahead to exceed the successes you have recorded especially as we all align our duties to support the policy drive of the president in alleviating the plights of our vulnerable citizens and ultimately reduce poverty to the barest minimum, especially at the grassroots level.”
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Yusuf Yusuf, applauded NEMA for its accountability, transparency and timely release of the 2020 reports, adding that it would guide the National Assembly to provide proper funding and make good policies to support the agency.