The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for stricter sanctions against individuals and organisations violating safety regulations to reduce recurring disasters across the country.

This was disclosed by the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, on Tuesday in Calabar during relief distribution to victims of the recent gas explosion at Edibe Edibe in Calabar, Cross River State.

Represented by the Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operation Office, Mrs. Aisueni Mmandu, Umar said many man-made disasters were avoidable if safety regulations were properly enforced and offenders sanctioned.

The exercise, which was conducted in partnership with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA),, saw the distribution of 300 bags each of rice, beans, and “garri,” all 25 kilograms.

It also saw the distribution of 50 cartons each of seasoning, vegetable oil, tomato paste, and detergent.

“It is wrong for a gas station to operate within a residential area without adequate firefighting equipment,” she said.

She urged authorities to prosecute violators and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent unnecessary disasters.

Umar said continuous sensitisation remained necessary, especially on proper handling of gas, electrical appliances, and combustible materials.

Speaking further, she added that support for landlords whose buildings were damaged would also be considered through rehabilitation interventions.

The Director General admitted that the distribution process experienced delays due to discrepancies in beneficiaries’ names and phone numbers.

She added that NEMA would review its strategy and introduce vouchers for beneficiaries to ensure smoother future distributions.

Similarly, Director-General SEMA, Mr. Antigha Gill, described the exercise as routine emergency support for disaster victims.

Gill said the agency had intensified public enlightenment campaigns against fire outbreaks caused by negligence and poor safety culture.

He advised residents to switch off electrical appliances before leaving home and properly secure gas cylinders.

“Most residential fires are caused by carelessness and electrical sparks,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Efiom Ekpenyong, who was a person with a disability, commended the Federal Government and emergency agencies for the intervention.

Ekpenyong added that the relief will go a long way in sustaining the victims in the mean time.

Mr. Sadiq Basu, one of the victims, expressed appreciation for the relief materials distributed to affected families.