By Christian Njoku
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for stricter sanctions against individuals and organisations violating safety regulations to reduce recurring disasters across the country.
This was disclosed by Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA on Tuesday in Calabar during relief distribution to victims of the recent gas explosion at Edibe Edibe in Calabar.
Represented by Mrs Aisueni Mmandu, Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operation Office Umar said many man-made disasters were avoidable if safety regulations were properly enforced and offenders sanctioned.
The exercise which was conducted in partnership with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) saw the distribution of 300 bags each of rice, beans and garri – all 25 kilogrammes.
It also saw the distribution of 50 cartons each of seasoning, vegetable oil, tomato paste and detergent.
“It is wrong for a gas station to operate within a residential area without adequate firefighting equipment,” she said.
She urged authorities to prosecute violators and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent unnecessary disasters.
She said continuous sensitisation remained necessary, especially on proper handling of gas, electrical appliances and combustible materials.
Speaking further, she added that support for landlords whose buildings were damaged would also be considered through rehabilitation interventions.
She admitted that the distribution process experienced delays due to discrepancies in beneficiaries’ names and phone numbers.
She added that NEMA would review its strategy and introduce vouchers for beneficiaries to ensure smoother future distributions.
Similarly, Director-General SEMA, Mr Antigha Gill, described the exercise as routine emergency support for disaster victims.
Gill said the agency had intensified public enlightenment campaigns against fire outbreaks caused by negligence and poor safety culture.
He advised residents to switch off electrical appliances before leaving home and properly secure gas cylinders.
“Most residential fires are caused by carelessness and electrical sparks,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries Mr Efiom Ekpenyong who was a person with disability commended the Federal Government and emergency agencies for the intervention.
Ekpenyong added that the relief will go a long way in sustaining the victims in the meantime.
Mr Sadiq Basu, one of the victims, expressed appreciation for the relief materials distributed to affected families.
