The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Ahmed, has been commended by some civil society organizations (CSOs) for reshaping the agency.
The commendation came via the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) and Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI) at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.
The CSOs, led by Comrade Ogakwu Dominic and Chris Ofomhi, said the DG’s tenure had been marked with a series of commendable achievements.
Dominic applauded the commitment, leadership drive, and dedication, including the strategic and sterling vision of Ahmed in handling emergency response and disaster management in Nigeria.
“Over time, the NEMA D-G has played a pivotal role in raising public awareness about disaster preparedness and mitigation,” he said.
NEMA, said Dominic, had been repositioned as a key player in disaster management, not only within Nigeria but on the global stage, due to the innovative and collaborative commitment of the D-G.
He also described the report that the NEMA boss looted over N3 billion between January and February as unfounded, baseless, and misleading, going by his performance.
According to Dominic, one must have a deeper understanding of how NEMA operates as an interventionist organisation whose major mandate is to address issues that require urgent and prompt responses.
He said that in doing so, the agency, most times, carried out emergency procurement in line with the stipulations of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and other existing regulations.
“The agency has developed solutions to emerging challenges that will enable the performance of its functions in line with international humanitarian standards.
“In a world where integrity and sincerity can at times be scarce, it is crucial to note that the expository in question lacked detailed facts and credibility, as it heavily relied on hearsay and not absolute fact,” he said.
Rather than frivolous allegations, Dominic said NEMA deserved commendation for diligently bringing stranded compatriots back home and for being prudent in the application and expending of allocated funds for projects. (NAN)
