The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it is finalizing plans to launch a massive campaign against fire outbreaks in the South-East as the dry season begins.
Mr James Eze, NEMA’s South-East Coordinator, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Saturday.
Eze stated that the NEMA would carry out the massive campaign in the states of Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi, involving insurance brokers, other stakeholders, and fire prevention/emergency response experts.
“We are going to take the campaign against fire outbreaks to markets, public buildings, worship places, and schools,” he says, “to enlighten our people on the actions they need to take to ensure that fire outbreaks do not occur.”
“We will use the campaign, particularly at markets, to educate traders on how to assist governments (both federal and state) in reducing losses by insuring their goods with little insurance premium paid,” he said.
“NEMA will also conduct advocacy visits to various state governments within the zone to persuade traders in their various markets to obtain insurance coverage for their goods.”
“As a result, they will have something to fall back on in the event of a fire or other disaster.”
“It is clear that when there are fire outbreaks or other disasters at the markets, traders usually run to the government for assistance; however, government resources are frequently insufficient to meet their and other demands.”
“As a result, traders who have insurance coverage will greatly assist the government and economy of each state, as traders will receive some compensation from their insurance company, supplementing the humanitarian relief that the government can provide.”
The coordinator stated that during the campaign, the importance of avoiding indiscriminate bush burning and turning off all electrical appliances at the end of the day’s work or trading activities would be emphasized.
“All residents would be stressed as well if they were very careful with how they handled and stored flammable materials within their homes, shops, and places of worship,” he said.
According to Eze, the campaign became necessary as NEMA transitioned from reactive to proactive disaster management and engagement.
“Proactive disaster management entails preventive actions and measures against anticipated disasters,” he continued.