The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has reiterated the continuous support of the military to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility.

Mr Musa stated this during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) would leverage NEMA’s rescue plan to avert disasters, adding that NEMA  had been doing a lot in the area of emergency management.

According to him, the agency is touching lives through its activities.

“The armed forces will continue to support you in all your activities and we will leverage your rescue plans to avert future disasters,” he said.

The CDS congratulated the NEMA boss on her appointment, describing it as well-deserved.

Earlier, Ms Umar said the visit was based on the report she received on assuming office as regards the impressive support that the military had been extending to the agency.

She said the synergy between NEMA and the military had become crucial in the effort to meet the mandate of the agency on disaster management and building resilience in Nigeria in the face of armed conflicts.

According to her, collaboration is also necessary in the face of the growing disaster incidents driven by climate change and intensive competition over dwindling land and water resources.

Ms Umar said the agency recognised the vital role played by the military through the Disaster Response Units (DRUs).

She added that the military‘s activities towards her agency had continued to save lives and restore normalcy.

She commended the armed forces for the provisions of security, airlift of relief items and evacuation, which according to her, exemplify the critical support the military is providing as assistance to civil authorities.

“NEMA consistently support capacity building for military personnel on disaster management and actively sponsors joint simulation exercises for various anticipated disaster and emergency scenarios using military facilities.

“Apart from equipment support to partners, NEMA has provided operational equipment to the military over the years,” she said.

Ms Umar said that NEMA was currently engaged in flood disaster preparedness and mitigation drive as the rainy season intensified.

She urged the CDS to direct the disaster rescue units of the military to heighten preparedness efforts to mitigate the impact of potential floods.

(NAN)