The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigeria Army, Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar on Monday delivered a key note address and a lecture at a-two day Enugu State Emergency Management Agency Critical Stakeholders Forum, at the Nike Lake Resort, Abakpa Nike, Enugu, Enugu State.
The forum comprised of heads of military and Para-military organizations in Enugu State, National Emergency Management Agency and the staff of the State’s Management Agency.
Others were the Local Government Chairmen and representatives of local and international Non-Governmental Organizations such as the WHO, UNICEF, NCC and representatives from the business community.
In the lecture titled “Addressing Contemporary Challenges to Effective Disaster Management in Nigeria: The Role of the Nigerian Army”, the GOC emphasized the necessity for cooperation, collaboration and coordination between civilian and military actors during an emergency situation.
He further noted that, although, disaster management is a secondary mission for the military, the inherent capabilities of the Nigerian Army like speedy and heavy buildup of logistics, manpower, security for emergency workers and their equipment will be of immense value to contemporary disaster management agencies.
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The GOC also stated that during emergency and disaster management there might be occasions when NEMA may not have the full manpower and the specialist equipment necessary for effective disaster management noting that on such occasions, the Army can be an invaluable asset.
He further highlighted the capabilities of the Nigerian Army in disaster management in the areas of provision of early warning, search and rescue operations, provision of health and medical services.
Others are debris clearance, and public safety which the Nigerian Army can do on a greater scale than any other organization in the country.
Major General Abubakar also stated that to be able to address challenges for effective disaster management in Nigeria, there was the need for the relevant agencies and stakeholders to intensify training and emphasized on timely provision of sufficient logistics, sensitization, public education and awareness in disaster management, as well as synergy with other relevant stakeholders among others.
A statement signed by Col Sagir Musa, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 division, noted that ,”The event was declared opened by the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and will last till the 26th September 2017.”
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