Give NEMA Powers To Demolish, Prosecute Offenders, Traditional Ruler Tasks FG

*New Nigerian Editor, NAN, NTA Correspondents bag awards as NEMA Holds Customer Service Week

A traditional ruler, Sarkin Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna North LGA,  Ibrahim Isa Abdulhamid has appealed to the Federal Government to make legislation that would give prosecution and other powers to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to make the agency more active.

The traditional ruler made the appeal at the commencement of the 2024 Customer Service Week, held at the NEMA North West office, Ungwan Sarki in Kaduna on Tuesday October 8, 2024?

According to him, this is important because NEMA plays crucial role in saving lives.

"FG should give NEMA more powers because they play key role in protecting hazard. However, they have no powers to punish people that  cause accidents. 

"They should be helping engineers to check quality of buildings. They should have powers to punish defaulters that lead to building collapse," he stressed.

He added, " I appreciate the gesture by NEMA to honour journalists and others for their contributions."

Speaking further, he said that  people that build along waterways and others that their structures lead to avoidable disasters, should be compelled to do the right thing.

"NEMA should be given powers to demolish or relocate them," he added.

Also speaking, Head of Information Unit North West, NEMA, Hajiya Halima Suleiman  in an interview, said the customer service week is an annual event that has been taking place since 1980s the world over, hence the agency is holding it, not to only appreciate customers,  but key stakeholders. 

Commenting on why some journalists were honoured during the event, she said it is in appreciation of their efforts in reaching out to the public.

"We were prompted to award the journalists because they play crucial roles in disseminating information. They have given life  to it by putting in their best, showing commitment and dedication to duty," she said.

In an interview, one of those who were honoured, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kaduna correspondent, Mohammed Haruna said the award is an opportunity to serve the public better. 

He said that NEMA is the first that gives intervention to those affected by crisis, hence the agency plays a critical role in the society.

Haruna added that   the customer service week serves as an opportunity to get feedback from the community.

Red Cross representative, Acting Branch Secretary Kaduna State, Suraj Sufiyanu Ahmed  said the customer service week is a bold step in getting feedback from the community.

"It is an avenue where NEMA and stakeholders assess the impact of their services in the community," he said.

Three journalists, New Nigerian Editor, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Mohammed Haruna of NTA Kaduna and Ezra Musa  of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), as well as the Sarkin Ungwan Sarki and the  Liman of  Ungwan Sarki were also honoured.

Meanwhile, a Thank You Card was  extended to others present at the event.