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Tag: NEMA

  • NEMA receives 160 Nigerians from Libya

    NEMA receives 160 Nigerians from Libya

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has received a batch of 160 assisted voluntary returnees from Libya who were stranded in failed attempts to reach different European countries.

    The Planning Officer of NEMA, Mr Segun Afolayan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at 9.45p.m. on Thursday.

    Afolayan said that the returnees landed at the Cargo Wing of the airport aboard Libyan Airline flight with registration number 5A-DMG.

    He said that they were brought back through the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

    “After profiling, the returnees comprised of seven female adults and 153 males,” Afolayan said.

    He urged the returnees to put their experiences in the volatile North African country behind them and forge ahead with their lives.

    “They have another opportunity to make a new start of posterity and abundance. Nobody can tell it better than them that there are no greener pastures elsewhere.

    “The best option is to live a dignified life, make their families happy and make the country proud by contributing their own quotas, ” Afolayan said.

    He added that the federal and state governments and development partners should create a more conducive atmosphere where all Nigerians could prosper.

    NAN reports that 155 Nigerians had voluntarily returned from Libya on July 5, with the assistance of the IOM. (NAN)

  • Reps threaten to order arrest of NEMA DG for shunning invitations

    The House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the ministry of Finance and other relevant parties to furnish the committee with all transaction details of N5. 6 billion funds released to four companies in relation to the Emergency Food Programme in the North East.

    The committee made this demand after another investigative session on the alleged breach of trust by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the National Assembly.

    According to the committee, the documents are to guide the panel to uncover the mystery surrounding the release of funds and to establish whether it was given to the companies as a loan or under whatever condition.

    The decision to ask for the documents arose when beneficiaries of the contract to mop up grains, which were said to have been distributed in the North East, and the accountant general of the federation said they were selected for the job without asking for a loan to finance it from the CBN, while the Central Bank, on the other hand, insisted that the N5.6 billion was a loan.

    Chairman of the committee, Hon Ali Isa J.C, also summoned the director general of NEMA to appear in its next sitting or face a warrant of arrest issued on him to compel him to appear.

    This is the third consecutive time the DG is failing to attend the hearing despite repeated invitations from the committee.

    Hon Ali said the agency has a penchant for sending notice of its DG’s absence from the meeting either 30 minutes before the hearing commences or when the hearing has already commenced.

    He added that the panel will give him one more chance to appear on the 31st of May, 2018, or face sanctions.

  • NEMA DG, Maihaja, paid N400m demurrage to clear N414.8m Chinese rice donation

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) paid a whopping sum of N400 million in demurrage to clear rice donated by the Chinese government for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East which is valued at N414 million, the Director General of the agency Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, has said.

    Documents submitted to the committee by the ministry of finance dated July 20, 2017 indicates that the total quantity of the rice is 6,779 metric tonnes valued at N414.8 million while the federal ministry of agriculture paid another sum of N272.5 million as duty.

    However, the figure of N400 million excludes the cost of transporting the rice from the ports to the ware houses of the agency and further revealed that about half of the goods are still at the ports accumulating more demurrage.

    The House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness has expressed dismay over the inefficient handling of the Chinese rice donations to internally displaced persons in the North East, saying the officials in charge did not discharge their functions well, leading to unnecessary spending of taxpayers’ money.

    The lawmakers were reacting to the presentations made by government agencies during its investigative hearing on breach of public trust by the National Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday.

    While making a presentation before the committee, representative of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller General Ekekezie Kaycee (T and T), said three batches of the Chinese rice donation arrived at the Nigerian port on the 9th of May, the second, 15th August, and the last, 11th September, 2017 respectively.

    She added that the value of the rice, which came in 151 containers in total, as stated on the bill of lading are as follows: 7, 405, 222 Yuan, 9, 219, 650 million Yuan and 11, 247, 973 Yuan, at an exchange rate of 46.2450 Naira to one Yuan.

    Altogether, she informed the committee, 3, 779 metric tonnes of the rice have been cleared, leaving a balance of 3000 metric tonnes. She identified the two companies that did the clearing as Global view nig ltd and Baltic Air and Maritime Services.

    Similarly, the representative of the minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Iloma Simon, said while making a presentation before the committee that they procured waivers for the rice from the ministry of Finance at 3 separate times when the goods arrived at the port. His Agriculture ministry counterpart said, in his own summary, that the ministry paid for the clearing of the rice and provided warehouses for storage but is yet to receive any consignment as at today.

    In his summission, the director general of NEMA, Engr Mustapha Maihaja, said the agency could only start clearing when it received the bill of lading six months later.

    He added that due to the emergency situation, the agency relied on section 43 of its establishment Act and engaged Global View Logistics and Baltic Air and Maritime Services without following due process on procurement. The first clearance was done in January, 2018. He also added that the 110 containers of rice cleared have been taken to Borno and Yola.

    This disclosure enraged the lawmakers who were angry that the poor handling of the clearance of the rice led to a cost of N400 million taxpayers’ money on payment for demurrage.

  • Fire razes NEMA warehouse in Lagos

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouse at Ikeja in Lagos, was on Saturday gutted by fire.

    The South-West zonal spokesman of the agency, Mr Farinloye Ibrahim who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said that the warehouse was being used to keep relief materials.

    “We don’t have many materials in the warehouse as at the time of the fire incident. We have few mattresses, foams and other few facilities. The fire started at about 8.30 a.m.

    “The damage was not much before the fire was put out. We cannot estimate as at now the cost of the materials burnt, ”Ibrahim said.

    The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasaki Musibau, said that a high tension cable fell on the roof of the warehouse which resulted to the fire.

    Musibau said the service’s timely intervention prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby petrol filling station and other public buildings

    “No casualties. We drew firemen from three stations to put out the fire. The firemen, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and police put out the fire,’’ he said.

  • Everything going from bad to bizarre in Rivers state – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has said fortune of the State is going bad to the bizarre.

    State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Finebone, made this known in a statement today.

    “Gov. Nyesom Wike believes in extreme politics based on total lack of morality, dishonesty and naked lies.

    “We will rather leave Gov. Wike and his statement to Nigerians and posterity. Obviously, the statement is beyond comprehension by any rational mind.

    “The truth is that under Gov. Wike everything in Rivers State is going from bad to the bizarre and this includes logical reasoning.

    “The governor was simply being disingenuous and we are not surprised that he made such a mendacious statement,” he said.

    Finebone was reacting to the State’s accusation of the federal government for deliberately using any means (and in this case soot) to depopulate parts of the country.

    “What can anyone say? It is really bizarre for a state governor to blame the federal government,” he said.

    “In respect of the soot ravaging Port Harcourt and environs, it would have made sense if the governor listed actions the state government has undertaken towards arresting the dangerous situation rather than claim that his government has done the needful.

    “What does Gov Wike precisely mean by doing the needful? He should specify what that means in clear times.

    “For sure I can tell you that that statement is mere facade to cover up the ineptitude of Gov. Wike’s government in tackling this challenge. The state government has done absolutely nothing in that regard,” he further stated.

    He asserted that the issue of environment is on the residual list in the Nigerian constitution hence the inability of the Nigerian parliament to make its legislation on the environment binding on states and local governments.

    “For example, despite the setting up of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) by the federal government, states and local governments reserve the right to or not to set up State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Local Government Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) respectively.

    “For instance, Rivers State does not have SEMA and LEMA,” he said.

     

  • Why we won’t suspend investigations into NEMA fraud – Reps

    The House of Representatives committee on national emergency and disaster preparedness has said it is prepared to dig into the roots of the fraud at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) despite intimidation and blackmail from some quarters.

    Members of the committee stated this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the National Assembly.

    They held the press briefing to address allegations that some suspended directors of the agency, in league with the former Director General of NEMA had “formed an alliance with certain members and illegally procured and stolen papers from NEMA files in their bid to exonerate themselves and challenge their suspension.”

    Speaking on behalf of the committee, Johnson Agbonayinma (APC, Edo State) said the committee had no special interest in the suspended directors, but rather got to know about it (allegations) from the Director General, Mustapha Maihaja.

    “The attention of the House of Representatives has been drawn to reports in some national dailies, on the ongoing investigation by the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness on the “Need to Investigate Alleged Violation of Public Trust in National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA).

    “We also want to put it on record that as at today there is no petition from any staff of NEMA to the Committee or the House of Representatives.

    “The issue of the suspended directors was mentioned by the Director General, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja himself during one of the committee hearing, when he introduced a new Director of Finance and we sought to know what happened to the former director and he admitted to suspending them.”

    He said the committee also sought to know whether the suspension followed due process because the same directors are witnesses in the ongoing investigation.

    “We have also observed with dismay, the ongoing campaign of calumny sponsored to pitch the House against the Presidency, especially His Excellency, the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN.”

    He said Mr Osinbajo’s “only involvement” is because according to the law establishing NEMA, Section 2 Sub-Section 2(a) the Vice President is the Chairman of the Governing Council.

    “We therefore want to know if the council under the vice president authorised the suspension of the directors.

    “Notwithstanding the provision of Section 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which empowers the National Assembly to invite any person to appear before it, or its committee during investigations.”

    On the invitation of the vice president to explain his role to the committee, Mr. Agbonayinma said the committee resolved that the vice president can send a representative.

    He said the committee will leave no stone unturned until the truth is out.

    “We will also not shield any public officer who soil their hands no matter how highly or lowly placed.

    “We want to state unequivocally that no amount of blackmail or campaign of calumny will deter or prevent us from conducting.

    The committee is investigating the release of N5.9 billion food intervention in the North-east, another N3.1 billiin food intervention in the region, release of N1.6 billion for Libyan returnees, release of N1.6 billion flood intervention for 16 states and donation of 6,779 metric tonnes of rice by the Chinese Government.

    It is also investigating the payment of about N800 million demurrage on donated rice by the Chinese government and the N10 billion release from the Ecological Funds

     

  • Reps summon Osinbajo, Magu, Oyo-Ita over controversial suspension of NEMA officials

    The House of Representatives has summoned Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to appear before its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management to answer questions on the controversial suspension of six senior officers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    The House ordered that the suspended officers should be recalled while EFCC investigate the case against them.

    Also to appear alongside the Vice President is Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, the Head of Service Federal Civil Service of the Federation (HoFCS) Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Ahmed Idris.

    The vice president was, however, asked to send a representative, if his schedule would not allow him.

    The summon was moved as a motion by Umar Bago (APC, Niger) and was carried by the committee members.

    The suspended officers are the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Gbolahan; Acting Director, Special Duties Mr. Umesi Emenike and Director, Risk Reduction Alhassan Nuhu.

    Others are the pilot in charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ibrahim; Chief Maintenance Officer Mr. Deji and Director of Welfare Mr. Kanar Mohammed.

    At the day three of the investigative hearing on the activities of the agency yesterday , the Ali Isa-led committee said the process that led to the suspension has to be explained by the vice president being the chairman of NEMA Governing board.

    NEMA DG Abubakar Maihaja had told the committee that the decision to suspend the six officers was taken by the council after it was inaugurated by the VP.

    When asked if the suspension was verbal or formal and if procedure as prescribed by public service rules was followed, Maihaja responded that suspension was not verbal.

    He said: “The report of the EFCC that led to the decision to suspend the officers was not released to the members though they were allowed to scrutinise it.

    “At the meeting, members were not allowed to take the letter out but allowed to go through it because the EFCC investigation is still ongoing.

    “The reality is that the document is confidential and the chairman made us aware that if giving out, the information therein would be exposed.

    “The instruction for the suspension wasn’t verbal by the VP but a meeting of governing council gave the approval. It was a resolution of the governing council.

    “If the VP had wanted to give instruction verbally, he would have done that before the inauguration of the council…

    “The council took the decision and taking instruction from the council, I signed the letters but the EFCC investigation is still ongoing”.

    On the N5 billion Northeast intervention fund, the DG said no money of such amount was received by NEMA, except N829 million for logistics and security.

    He, however, confirmed that food items worth the said amount was received and N829 million was used for the movement of the materials to the region.

    “I received items not money worth N5,036 billion and we were instructed to pick them from the stores. Some companies have not, however, delivered theirs like Golden Agric Input Ltd.

    “Food items were reviewed from Dangote, Bua Flour Mills and others and we have distributed and still distributing. Fifty per cent was moved to Maiduguri, 20 per cent to Yobe and 10 to Bauchi Gombe and Taraba.

    The DG was also questioned on the eligibility of some companies engaged for the supply of 10,000 metric tonnes of rice valued at N3 billion.

    “We engaged the companies used under emergency as proscribed under Emergency Act,” he said.

    On the qualification of officers that signed contract award documents, he said, “To the best of my conviction and according to the records, we had no procurement officer as at that time but planning officers, who were not qualified to carry out such assignment.”

    Several organisations relevant to the investigation were also asked to appear before the committee to give information that would aid the exercise.

  • Over 54 killed, 7000 displaced in Zamfara attacks – NEMA

    Over 54 killed, 7000 displaced in Zamfara attacks – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday confirmed that 54 persons were killed by suspected cattle rustlers in Bawar Daji District, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara state last week Wednesday.

    The agency also confirmed that a woman and her child were among those who lost their lives during the attacks.

    The agency which disclosed this based on-the-spot assessment conducted by staff recorded 71 persons injured with over 7000 displaced persons.

    NEMA said the attacks affected places like Baudi, Tungan Turkish, Doka, Zanoka, Akuzo and Dogon Ruwa.

    “About 30 houses and other essential commodities were razed, also 1000 cattle were carted away by men of the underworld,” the agency said.

    The head, Nema Sokoto Operations, Suleiman Muhammad, who led other staff of the agency on the assessment said government delegations sent to the area had to suspend their visit due to security challenges.

    Displaced persons, mostly women and children, are currently taking refuge in neighbouring Hayin Dan Bawa, Anka and Gusau, capital of Zamfara.

    The agency is expected to prepare a comprehensive report to be forwarded to the federal government for necessary action.

    Recall that the armed bandits had last week attacked Bawar Daji in Anka Local Government Area, killing over 32 persons.

    Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, alongside security chiefs and members of the State Executive Council on Friday visited Emir of Anka over the killings.

    Governor Yari during the condolence visit to the Emir directed the security agencies to shoot anybody found with arms ”in the bush”.

    The governor said the laws of the country allow only security personnel to carry arms.

    “It is criminal for any person who is not a security personnel to carry arms, therefore I have ordered the security agencies in the state to shoot at sight any person who carries AK 47 or any other weapons in the bush, be Fulani, Hausa or any tribe.

    “The bandits have wasted too much of lives in the state and therefore they too do not deserve to be alive,” he said.

     

  • Herdsmen menace: FG begins process to rebuild ravaged communities

    Herdsmen menace: FG begins process to rebuild ravaged communities

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to commence an assessment of the extent of damage in communities affected by violence caused by herdsmen-farmers clashes in some parts of the country.

    This was stated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo today during the inaugural meeting of the recently composed Governing Council of NEMA at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    “Mr. President has directed that we do a survey and assessment on the damage done to towns cities, communities that have been affected by violence in some parts of the country, including the farmers-herders clashes. NEMA will play a leading role in this and the Presidency will also provide direct support.

    “We will involve the people in the affected communities, and not just bring people from outside these communities, in the rebuilding efforts. We will involve people in these villages, artisans and other people in the communities, with required skills so that they can also benefit economically as we rebuild these communities,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that at the monthly meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on February 15, Prof. Osinbajo informed the Council that President Buhari had approved the formation of a national Committee to look into the rebuilding of communities affected by the violence in the affected states.

    This is in line with the Buhari administration’s commitment towards finding permanent solutions to the herdsmen-farmers clashes in some parts of the country, and ensuring the peace.

    During today’s inaugural meeting, the Vice President, who is the chairman of the Governing Council, congratulated the new members and expressed the hope that the board would continue to be committed to the task ahead, adding that NEMA has been very visible in its role.

    “NEMA has been taking on assignments even beyond its mandate. This is a responsibility that we must take seriously,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Vice President further urged the agency to devote more to public sensitization regarding matters of emergency in the country and what the public needs to do in such circumstances.

    Prof. Osinbajo added that NEMA should engage stakeholders more to participate in addressing its responsibilities, including the private sector and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    Members of the board include the Director-General, NEMA; the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF; representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Water Resources. Other members include representatives of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force.

    At the meeting, the Director-General, NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, made a presentation on the work, role and challenges of the agency.

    Meanwhile, the Vice President also today received a delegation from Oxford Business Network for Africa from the Oxford Business School, London, United Kingdom, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Led by Mr. Bayo Owolabi, the delegation thanked the Vice President for his role in Nigeria’s improved ranking in the World Bank Doing Business report, while also commending the Federal Government for its efforts in improving the country’s economy generally, supporting the establishment of technology hubs in the country, among other socio-economic development initiatives.

     

  • EFCC uncovers N2.5bn fraud in NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is currently enmeshed in a massive scandal after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered an alleged N2.5billion fraud in the operations of the organisation.

    The scandal was perpetrated through incorporation of fake companies, creation of fake IDPs’ camps and award of frivolous contracts.

    The EFCC may invite a former Director-General of NEMA and some serving directors for interrogation on the fraud.

    Some of the companies engaged by NEMA are alleged to have failed to remit N354,905,000 as accumulated taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS).

    Besides, the anti-graft agency is probing alleged diversion of foods and relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East to Chad and Niger Republic.

    EFCC reportedly launched the probe following intelligence that the ex-DG of NEMA and some directors “siphoned, misappropriated and diverted public funds to the tune of over N2.5billion.”

    A source familiar with the investigation said: “Preliminary investigation indicated that fake companies were incorporated and fake way bills were used in securing contracts in NEMA.

    “Funds were diverted under the guise of some purported training of some staff which was never conducted. Some of the directors involved had incorporated personal companies and secured contracts with the agency.

    “Some of the companies engaged by NEMA have also failed to remit N354,905,000 as accumulated taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS). The unpaid taxes were from 2014 to date.

    “There are cases of some directors, who are civil servants, owning about five to 10 companies in order to corner contracts in NEMA. There is an instance of a director with about 20 accounts in which fake contract sums were paid into.”

    A well-placed source said: “As part of our investigation, we are looking into alleged diversion of foods and relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East to neighbouring countries, especially Chad and Niger Republic.

    “We have discovered instances where trucks loaded with relief materials were diverted to these neighbouring countries for sale.

    “There is also a case of inflated household for phantom purchase and delivery of relief materials. At a point, they even created three to four fake IDP communities where relief materials were diverted.

    “Another dimension to the scandal in NEMA is alleged frivolous and overtime claims by some directors and workers of the agency.

    “Some of the vouchers showed some staff, who are civil servants, demanding refund of N20million as claims they spent on behalf of NEMA. How did a civil servant incur N20million debt on behalf of his or her agency?”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The EFCC will soon invite a former Director-General of NEMA, some directors, staff, companies and contractors for questioning.

    “Already, the detectives handling the case have retrieved relevant vouchers and documents relevant to the ongoing investigation.”