FG okays assessment, rebuilding of ravaged communities

The Federal Government has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess communities ravaged by insurgency and activities of herdsmen nationwide.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who gave the directive during the inaugural meeting of the governing council of NEMA at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted: “Mr. President has directed that we do a survey and assessment on the damage done to towns, cities and communities that have been affected by violence in some parts of the country, including the farmers-herders clashes. NEMA will play a leading role in this and the Presidency will also provide direct support.

“We will involve the people in the affected communities, and not just bring people from outside these communities, in the rebuilding efforts. We will involve people in these villages, artisans and other people in the communities, with required skills so that they can also benefit economically as we rebuild these communities.”

Osinbajo had at the monthly meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on February 15, 2018, informed the gathering that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the formation of a national committee to look into the rebuilding of communities affected by the violence in parts of the federation.

This, he said, was in line with the administration’s commitment towards finding lasting solutions to the conflicts.During the meeting, the vice president, who is also the chairman of the governing council, expressed the commitment of the board to the task ahead, adding that NEMA had been very visible.

“NEMA has been taking on assignments even beyond its mandate. This is a responsibility that we must take seriously,” he charged.Osinbajo urged the agency to do more in the area of sensitisation so that the citizens could be well informed of emergencies.He enjoined NEMA to further engage stakeholders, including the private sector and the civil society organisations (CSOs), to effectively discharge their roles.
Members of the board include the Director-General, of NEMA; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); representatives of the ministries of Transport; Aviation; Foreign Affairs; Health; Interior and Water Resources.

Others are representatives of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force.A statement by Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, NEMA DG, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, made a presentation at the gathering.