The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their partnership in addressing potential challenges during the upcoming general elections and the 2023 floods. The agreement, signed in Abuja at the NSCDC headquarters, was witnessed by NEMA Director‑General Mustapha Ahmed and NSCDC Commandant‑General Abubakar Audi.
In a statement released in Abuja on Friday, NEMA highlighted that the MoU will improve service delivery in disaster management. Ahmed described the partnership as a crucial step toward ensuring the safety, security, and dignity of Nigerians before, during, and after sudden disasters and emergencies. He emphasized that “the partnership has become imperative as we make a renewed resolve to confront the growing complexity of disaster and the attendant humanitarian outcomes in Nigeria, driven by conflicts and powered by extreme weather and climatic events.”
Ahmed noted that the MoU will foster a well‑coordinated and stronger collaboration between the two agencies, particularly as preparations begin for this year’s annual floods and any eventualities that may arise during the general elections, scheduled to take place in less than a month. He praised the NSCDC as a strategic partner, citing its consistent provision of security and safety cordons that enable successful lifesaving search and rescue operations. “The emergency response unit of the NSCDC has always provided a veritable opportunity for sustaining the strong mutual support and collaboration between NEMA and the NSCDC,” he said. Ahmed added that every disaster site can become a potential crime site, underscoring the need for close cooperation between the agencies.
To facilitate better liaison, NEMA has already provided a desk office for the NSCDC at its headquarters and is considering joint capacity‑building initiatives for staff of both organizations. Commandant‑General Audi described the MoU as apt and germane to the mandates of NEMA and NSCDC, stating that it will enhance the existing partnership and improve service delivery for both agencies.
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