Expand NEMA fleet to improve emergency response – Reps tells FG

The House of Representatives has expressed urgent concern over the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies in Nigeria.

Recognizing the critical role of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in disaster response, the House on Wednesday called for the need to significantly enhance NEMA’s capacity to effectively manage those challenges.

The facilities according to the House are to be deployed to major locations across the country to enable swift mobilization to disaster-prone areas.

This initiative, led by Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, aims to ensure that Nigeria is better equipped to respond to emergencies, ultimately saving lives and mitigating the impact of disasters.

Wase noted that recent incidents have revealed significant gaps in NEMA’s emergency response capabilities, particularly in search and rescue operations and medical evacuations, adding that the agency currently operates with a limited fleet, consisting of just one air ambulance and one Bell 429 helicopter procured in 2014.

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The lawmaker stated that this inadequate fleet has proven insufficient for covering Nigeria’s vast and diverse terrain, leaving many areas, especially remote and inaccessible regions, vulnerable in times of crisis.

Wase is particularly concerned about the rising occurrence of natural and man-made disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents.

These events, he said, have led to a surge in the demand for rapid response and medical evacuation, further straining NEMA’s limited resources.

He stated that the recent transfer of NEMA’s air ambulance and helicopter to the Nigerian Airforce and Nigeria Police has exacerbated the situation, compromising the agency’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

In a resolution, the House urged the Federal Government to prioritize funding for the procurement of additional air ambulances and helicopters equipped with advanced medical facilities and search and rescue capabilities, noting that these assets are essential for swift mobilization to disaster-stricken areas.

The House also called for an increased budgetary allocation for NEMA to enable the agency to invest in personnel training, ensuring that emergency responders are well-prepared to operate and maintain the new equipment.

The House mandated the Committees on Appropriation and Disaster Preparedness to work closely with the Budget Office of the Federation to secure adequate funding for NEMA in the 2025 budget.