The Minister of the Federal Capital Administration Mr. Nyesom Wike has been urged to facilitate funding on Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA to effectively deliver its mandate.
The outgoing Director General of FEMA, Dr. Abbas Idriss gave the advice at a send-off ceremony organised in his honour in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The event was also to mark the 10th years Anniversary of FEMA.
Dr. Idriss said that “Alot needed to be done to reposition the Agency to be able to deliver its mandates.”
He said that the non-assent of the Bill that established Agency couple with the insufficient funding had grossly affected the strength and growth of the Agency.
Speaking on challenges faced the by Agency, Dr Idriss said; “Looking at the mandate of FEMA when it was created in 2013, the Bombing incidence that followed and other emergencies including endemic and flood threading the survival the young Agency, these threats were made worse by the absence of the take up grant and budgetary constraint that should had given strong muscle to the Agency to merge the prevailing it had to deal with, further more the non domestication of the law enabling FEMA as stipulated in 1999 grossly affected strength and growth potentials of the Agency.”
While making his remarks, the acting DG of the Agency Mr. Mohammed Sabo, said that over the years, Dr. Abbas Idriss’s unwavering commitment, visionary leadership and tireless dedication have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Emergency Management Agency within the territory.
He said; “Under your stewardship the FCT Federal Emergency Management Agency have achieved all respected milestone, your relentless pursue of excellence and passionate spirit inspired countless individuals within the Agency and community at large.
“Your legacy of service will endure as a testament of your passion of the welfare of the people and your unwavering commitment to the betterment of the society.”
“Dr. Abbas Idriss’ tenure was marked by integrity, professionalism, and steadfast dedication to the principle of public services,” Mr Sabo explained
The Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, described Idriss as a workaholic, a mentor, and a seasoned professional with passion.
Mrs. Wenegieme, added that, the pioneer DG laid the very formidable foundation upon which FEMA was built and positioned on the path which has brought progress and achievements to the Agency.
The immediate past Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Adesola Olusade, said, that Dr. Abbas Idriss’s due diligence and hard work have strengthened local response to emergency situations.
Adesola stressed that the success of the pioneer DG would be measured by the number of disasters that were avoided and controlled in the FCT under his stewardship.
On his part, the Convener, African Network for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr Soji Adeniyie expressed excitement that Idriss was leaving the Agency with very strong legacy he have established.
Dr. Abbas Idriss was appointed as the pioneer DG of the Agency in 2013 and served for 10 years until his retirement in September 2023.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Comments are closed.