To mitigate natural and human disasters in Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has launched the National Contingency Plan 2023-2025 for Nigeria.
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency Mr Mustapha Ahmed who launched the Contingency Plan 2023-2025 noted that the importance of the National Contingency cannot be overemphasised.
Ahmed revealed that Nigeria had experienced quite a number of human and Natural disasters, Public health emergencies and other unforeseen events which can occur at any moment, causing immense devastation and disruption in the functioning of the society.
” It is our duty as disaster managers and citizens to ensure that we are adequately prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently to such situations.
” Over the past months and years, countless hours of work, research and collaboration have gone into the development of this plan, expert from various sectors have contributed their knowledge and experience, drawing upon lessons learned from past disasters.”
He explained that NEMA will focus on disaster preparation actions including continuous revision of risk management across the country, supporting the State in the development of Contingency plans and focusing on an early warning system to enable the communities to understand the risk.
The Chief Wash Nigeria, Country Representative UNICEF, Jane Bevan emphasised the need for Nigeria to launch the Contingency Plan 2023-2025, saying that will not only safeguard lives and livelihoods but also reinforce resilience as a nation.
Bevan assured the commitment of UNICEF in ensuring that the Contingency plans achieved the desired goals.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris also assured the support of the Ministry by engaging the relevant stakeholders to give out adequate orientation that would mitigate disaster in Nigeria.
The National Contingency Plan 2023-2025 covers different risks and hazards at all levels of Government including floods, epidemics conflict and violence amongst others.
Stakeholders from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency NIMET, Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control, NCDC, Federal Fire Service and Nigerian Red Cross amongst others also pledged their commitment in ensuring that the Contingency plans is properly implemented.
