Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has expressed deep appreciation to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other search and rescue organizations for their prompt intervention following the collapse of the Saint Academy building, which tragically claimed the lives of several students.
Governor Mutfwang conveyed his gratitude during a courtesy call by the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, at the Old Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos. He lauded the collaborative efforts between NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in addressing the humanitarian needs arising from the building collapse.
“We want to thank you sincerely for this nationalistic approach to disaster management. This is the kind of synergy that the Federal Government and States should have. We know that we are working ultimately for the interests of our people, and we appreciate you for showing this solidarity,” said Governor Mutfwang.
He assured continued collaboration with NEMA, emphasizing the importance of benefiting from their expertise to better prepare for future emergencies. The governor noted that SEMA was in a dire state when he took office last year, and without his administration’s intervention, the agency would have been severely handicapped in addressing the tragic incident.
Governor Mutfwang also emphasized the necessity of having a functional standby ambulance and solicited NEMA’s assistance in creating linkages with international organizations. He appealed to the people of Plateau State to comply with government directives, particularly Executive Order 003, highlighting that these measures are intended to improve living standards, not to punish or witch-hunt anyone.
“We must strengthen the institutional capacity of government bodies like JMDB. Since we came on board, people now recognize the existence of JMDB. I believe that more than 50% of the houses in Jos lack building approvals, and this is something we need to address if we want to prevent our cities from becoming modern slums,” he stated.
During her visit, Mrs. Umar commiserated with the government and people of Plateau State over the unfortunate incident at Saint Academy. She expressed regret over the significant loss of lives and extended her deepest condolences to the families of the deceased students, while praying for the quick recovery of the injured.
“The outlook of NEMA is focused more on disaster reduction rather than being reactive. We aim to turn it into a very proactive institution, and we will need the help of the states to achieve that. I also want to commend you because the SEMA here was truly active in addressing the situation,” Mrs. Umar said.
Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, July 14, 2024.
