The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-east zone has reinstated its commitment to the rehabilitation of about 50 families displaced by the fire that erupted at the Enugu Prisons and Police Barracks last month.
The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Dr Bandele Abdulahi Onimode who gave the assurance yesterday during a press conference in Enugu, stated that he was surprised to read in a national daily newspaper (Not Leadership) that NEMA officials were yet to visit the scene of the fire disaster.
He stressed that the report was a calculated attempt to put NEMA in bad light.
“Efforts are already being made to bring succor to the displaced families. We in the zonal office of NEMA, Enugu have made our recommendations to our headquarters for prompt intervention. And I do not know why any person should go about saying in the media that we have not visited the scene of the fire disaster.
That statement is blackmail and unfounded”, he added.
The NEMA boss in the South-east zone disclosed that NEMA officials responded swiftly when the fire erupted.
He disclosed that workers of the agency were among those who assisted fire fighters to put off the fire.
Dr Onimode stated that the agency had concluded arrangements to visit the state police command to fish out the policeman that made the allegation.
In his address, he further disclosed that it was the swift intervention of NEMA officials that attracted a letter of appreciation from the Nigerian Prisons Service, Enugu
State Command to the agency.
Onimode said the letter, signed by the Controller of Prisons, Enugu State command and dated 4th August 2011, noted that: “The success recorded in averting the escalation of what would have otherwise happened was due to your presence and that of your men. On behalf of myself and the staff of the Nigerian Prisons Service,
Enugu State Command, I write to appreciate you /your command on your prompt assistance/intervention on the petrol tanker accident/fire outbreak on the prisons barracks on July 28, 2011”.
He also used the opportunity to remind people that NEMA is not a “first responder”, saying that it is a coordinating agency.? ? ?