House of Representatives on Wednesday tasked Federal Government on the need to prioritize and provide adequate funding for the procurement of additional air ambulances and helicopters equipped with advanced medical facilities in the bid to strengthen National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out search and rescue operations and swift mobilization to disaster-stricken areas across the country.
To this end, the lawmakers unanimously resolved to initiate a review and increase the budgetary provision of the National Emergency Management Agency to enable the Agency to invest in the training of its personnel to operate and maintain the equipment and ensure that our emergency responders are well-prepared to utilize these resources effectively.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase.
In his lead debate, Hon. Wase expressed grave concern over the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies in Nigeria, and lamented over the significant threat to human life, livelihoods, and national security.
“The House further notes the critical role of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in responding to emergencies and disasters across our nation and acknowledges the need to enhance NEMA’s capacity to effectively respond to these increasing challenges.
“The House is aware that the Agency is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing efficient disaster response and relief measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens during crisis.
“However, recent incidents have highlighted a significant gap in our emergency response capabilities, particularly in search and rescue and medical evacuation.
“The House is also aware that the current fleet of air ambulances and helicopters is inadequate to cover our country’s vast and diverse terrain. This limitation hampers the agency’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.
“The House is worried about the rise in natural and man-made disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents, the demand for rapid response and medical evacuation has surged. Our current capabilities are stretched thin, leaving many vulnerable citizens without timely assistance.
“The House is aware that in emergencies, time is of the essence. Delays in search and rescue operations or medical evacuations can result in increased fatalities and injuries. Enhancing NEMA’s air capabilities will significantly reduce response times, thereby saving lives and mitigating the impact of disasters.
“The House is cognizant of the urgent need for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to acquire additional air ambulances and helicopters to enhance its capacity for search and rescue operations, as well as medical evacuations as NEMA currently has one Air ambulance and one Bell 429 Helicopter which were procured since 2014 from funds appropriated by the 7th Assembly.
“The House is worried about the negative consequences of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police taking over the Air ambulance and Helicopter from NEMA, which has further depleted the Agency’s assets and compromised its ability to respond effectively to emergencies,” he noted.
To this end, the House mandated the joint Committees on Appropriation and Disaster Preparedness to liaise with the Budget Office of the Federation to take necessary measures to ensure adequate funding is provided for the Agency in the 2025 budget.