Members of the National Assembly have disclosed that the importance of local knowledge, and the central role of local governments and communities in preparedness and emergency management require deliberate investment.
The lawmakers said this in Abuja, at a Legislative Retreat, organised by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to strengthen legislative collaboration for effective emergency management.
The Director General, NEMA, Zubaida Umar said disaster management in Nigeria cannot rely solely on response; it must be anchored on preparedness, prevention, and partnership.
“Sustainability remains our greatest challenge. Without consistent funding and legislative reinforcement, many of these gains risk being short-lived.”
Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr Bandele Onimade, the NEMA boss said this holistic approach, when adopted, funded and supported, will save billions of naira in losses, protect human capital and safeguard the most vulnerable communities.
‘As the scale and complexity of emergencies in Nigeria grow faster, available resources are also becoming leaner, which calls for constant investment not only in relief materials, but in systems, people, data and technology‘ he said.
He said the need to bridge the gap between policy, legislation, and practice amongst stakeholders, is necessary in building a stronger, safer and more resilient Nigeria.
“Our experience implementing the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Project with support from the World Bank has shown what can be achieved when strategic funding and institutional commitment align. Through this partnership, we have improved coordination, enhanced risk assessment capacities, and advanced early warning systems”.
The Director General, Zubaida Umar said emergency management is a national security and development issue, not a social welfare function.
“Every year, floods, fires, building collapses and other disasters destroy lives, livelihoods and public infrastructure; stretching response capacity and often leaving recovery efforts underfunded’ Mr Umar said.
He further noted that the retreat is an opportunity to deepen collaboration, review existing frameworks, identify the gaps in funding and policy as well as work together toward a sustainable and forward-looking system for disaster management.
Community Engagement
The Chairman, Senate committee on Special Duties, Kaka Shehu Lawan who was represented by Senator Abdul Ningi said only continuous engagement and partnership can build a coordinated and proactive emergency management framework, one that prioritises prevention, preparedness and recovery responses.
“These challenges, quite sentimentally, test our capacity for preparedness, response, and recovery. Yet, they also offer us the opportunity to strengthen our institutions, improve coordination and reaffirm our shared commitment to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of our citizens”.
For his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Joseph Bassey said, poor budgetary allocation to NEMA continues to undermine the agency’s capacity to effectively prepare for, respond to, and manage disaster across the country.
He said stakeholders must take a deliberate and coordinated action between the legislators, NEMA, and all stakeholders to build a truly resilient Nigeria.
“Increase and sustain positive applications to NEMA, strengthen collaboration between the national assembly, NEMA, and state emergency management agencies, strengthen the skills of legislators, emergency personnel, volunteers, and institutions and intensify public education and grassroots community engagement programs that promote awareness and active participation in disaster and risk reduction initiatives”.
The theme for the retreat is Building a Resilient Nigeria: Strengthening Legislative Collaboration for Effective Emergency Management.