By Miriam Humbe
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Wednesday, commissioned the upgraded Geographical Information System laboratory of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which has been renamed as NEMA Geo-Spatial Centre.
Speaking at the occasion in Abuja, Senator Akume said upgrading of the laboratory was another giant step in the effort by the Federal Government to improve the quality of lives in Nigeria.
He said: “The world is presently confronted by increasing global upsurge in magnitude and complexity of various disasters that have affected many countries as evidenced in draughts, floods, desertification, famine and even communal crises arising from competition over land use and ownership.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria is not isolated from these.
“This underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to disaster management”.
Sen Akume assured of the support of the Federal Government to re-invigorate the public service to be more productive and responsive to the yearnings of the people.
Akume said: “The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR means well for this country and is committed to improving the lives and welfare of the citizens.”
The SGF commended NEMA for the success in establishing the geo-spatial Centre and urged the Agency and its partner Agencies to make the best use of the facility to further improve on disaster management in the country.
The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, thanked the President and members of the Federal Executive Council for supporting the upgrading of the GIS facility to enhance performance of the Agency in discharging its mandates.
Ahmed said: “This is one of the groundbreaking achievements of the administration of His Excellency, President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in the area of Information Technology and efforts to curtail adverse effects of natural hazards on the entire citizenry of Nigeria and their properties.
“This Centre is critical to learning and research for planning, prevention, preparedness and response to disasters. It will enable rebuilding back better in the aftermath of disasters.”
The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onaiwu commended NEMA for the success in establishment of the Geo-Spatial Centre and assured that the Senate would provide support to enhance disaster management in Nigeria.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Hon Joseph Bassey also assured of necessary support for NEMA and disaster management.
Other speakers at the occasion included the Surveyor General of Federation, Adebomehin Adeyemi, Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency Engr Clem Nze, Head of Unlock in Nigeria, Mr Trond Jensen and representative of Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra.
