By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, pursuant to mutual support and collaboration for better service delivery.
During a brief ceremony at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja, the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, expressed delight at this new development and described the event as another step in the right direction towards better provision of safety, security and dignity of Nigerians before, during and after sudden onset of disasters and emergencies.
Ahmed, described the Corps as an indispensable partner and important stakeholder in the business of disaster prevention and management, therefore, it was imperative to open a new vista of opportunity for collaboration and expansion of operations.
According to him, “it is on record that, in the event of sudden onset of disasters, the NSCDC has consistently provided NEMA with security and safety cordons to enable successful life saving search and rescue operations.
“The Emergency Response Unit of the Corps has always provided veritable opportunities for sustaining the strong mutual support and collaboration between NEMA and the NSCDC.
“Under every disaster situation, there are potential secondary hazards that require working together with the NSCDC.
“As we say at NEMA, every disaster site is a potential crime site and this underscores the need for a better relationship between NEMA and the NSCDC.”
He described signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSCDC as another milestone towards driving a well-coordinated and stronger partnership between the duo.
Responding, Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described the move by NEMA as apt and germaine to the existing relationship and fulfilment of the mandate of the Corps.
Audi affirmed that, NSCDC was a strategic life partner with NEMA because disaster prevention, mitigation and management was one of the core mandates of NSCDC.
He hinted that, the Corps was always available to welcome opportunities to provide useful humanitarian services to the people, and assured the DG that the doors of the Corps are open to offer regimental and capacity building trainings.
With the signing of the MoU, NEMA is assured of leveraging on the presence of NSCDC personnel in all the 774 LGAs for support and cooperation in disaster management nationwide.