MARGARET CHIDERA
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says it has spent N112.13 billion from consolidated accruals and ecological fund utilisation on disaster management in the country from 2011 to the current year, 2022.
This is just as members of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology expressed displeasure with the disclosure by Ahmed Mustapha, Director General NEMA, that the agency reached out to over 1,427,370 persons displaced by flood disaster across the country.
Mustapha, who appeared before the committee investigating the total consolidated accruals and utilisation of ecological fund in Abuja on Wednesday, said unlike other appropriated finance balances from the funds, it rolled over to the next fiscal year.
The DG told the committee that documents for the 2010 expenditure were not available, as they were destroyed during the ENDSARS protests, and police extract to that effect has been obtained.
He lamented that the 2022 flood disaster was the worst flood disaster in the history of Nigeria, saying it was far more devastating than the 2012 flood, which was considered unprecedented.
“A total of 181,600 houses were partially damaged and 123,807 houses were totally damaged. A total of 176,852 hectares of farmland were partially destroyed while 392,300 hectares of farmland got totally destroyed as a result of the floods.
“As predicted, the 2022 flood hit the country with devastating consequences, impacted thousands of communities and wreaked havoc in all the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
“A total of 612 persons lost their lives, 3,219,780 persons were affected, 1,427,370 persons were displaced and 2,776 others suffered various degrees of injuries,” he said.
The NEMA boss also said the provision of food and non-food items for immediate relief and building materials to facilitate long term rehabilitation of those affected by flood was ongoing.
Oghuma Johnson (APC, Edo), a member of the committee, who frowned at Mustapha’s statement, accused NEMA of favouring a particular region of the country in their relief materials distribution selection process.
The lawmaker, who later staged a walkout, said the DG was partial as the impact of their distribution claims was not seen or felt in his constituency and Edo State as a whole.
Johnson said: “In the whole of my area, we do not have any assembly members and you said you informed assembly members from my state and I am here. It is my own federal constituency that is swallowed by the flood.
“I moved a motion concerning my federal constituency and that is the only way they communicate to you.
“I do not have any personal relationship with you. I don’t have to ask you for anything because I do not need anything from you.
“For my people, they are part of Nigeria and I want to put it to you that you people were not appointed to be partial. You swore an oath before you took your office.
“I am bitter because of the way you have abandoned these people. My state is never recognised. You have never done anything in Edo State and you call yourself NEMA.”
Similarly, Ibrahim Isiaka (APC, Ogun), Chairman of the Committee said the NEMA Boss was not doing enough to reach out to all Nigerians who are to be served by the agency.
“Everything starts and ends at your table. Nobody is asking for any special favour.
“I am telling you that as we are seated here, there are three members from Ogun State, including myself as the Chairman of this committee,” Isiaka said.
Also, Adewunmi Onanuga (APC, Ogun), said she has written twice to NEMA with regards to issues in her state and constituency, not once has anyone replied to her letter.
Earlier, the Committee Chairman, Isiaka fumed at the absence of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), of Federal Government and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), at the probe to defend the amount they received and how it was spent.
The lawmaker threatened that the House might rescind its decision on any support given to the 774 local governments and MDAs if they continue this way.
