FEMA To Prosecute People Causing Disasters

By Remi Johnson

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has threatened to arrest and prosecute any Abuja resident whose negligence leads to disaster in the territory.

Acting Director General of FEMA, Ibrahim Mohammed Sabo who issued the warning during a news conference in Abuja, said anyone traced to have a link with the cause of either fire, flood or building collapse would face the wrath of the law.

He expressed regret that many of the disasters that occurred in the territory, were man- made as they could be avoided with compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Sabo however hinted that 2,864 lives were saved in flood disasters, 1,842 in fire incidents, 174 rescued from building collapse, saved property worth N99.3 million, and sadly lost eight lives to building collapse and flooding within the year under review.

The Acting Director General therefore pledged the Agency’s commitment to continue to sensitize FCT residents on the dangers of building in flood prone areas with a view to mitigating such incidences in the territory.

According to the Acting DG, response period of the agency for distress calls in any part of FCT is now three minutes, as against the previous five minutes period.

He added that FEMA has strengthened its relationship with other sister agencies, such as the Department of Development Control, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, among others.

“We have also been able to strengthen the capacity of our staff and equally trained our volunteers, vanguards, town criers and divers, who are the first respondents during emergencies”.

The Director General, however, advised residents to always adhere to early warnings and take it very serious.

He also advised individuals to adhere to the building code and insure themselves against disasters, such as fire and flooding.

Edited By Grace Namiji