By Ismaila Ajikobi, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has been called upon to facilitate funding on FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)to effectively deliver its mandate.
The outgoing Director General of FEMA, Dr. Abbas Idriss made the call at a send-off ceremony organized in his honor in Abuja recently.
The event was also to mark the tenth years Anniversary of the Agency
Speaking at the occasion, the pioneer DG of FEMA, Dr. Idriss said that, there was much need to be done to reposition the Agency to be able to deliver its mandates.
Abbass said that, the non-assent of the Bill that established Agency couple with the insufficient funding had grossly affected the strength and growth of the Agency.
Speaking on challenges faced the by Agency, he said “Looking at the mandate of FEMA when it was created in 2013, the Bombing incidence that followed and other emergencies including endemic and flood threading the survival the young Agency.
These threats according to him were made worse by the absence of the take up grant and budgetary constraint that should had given strong muscle to the Agency to merge the prevailing it had to deal with, adding that non domestication of the law enabling FEMA as stipulated in 1999 grossly affected it’s strength and growth potentials.
While making his remarks, the acting DG of the Agency Mr. Mohammed Sabo, said that over the years, Dr. Abbas Idriss’s unwavering commitment, visionary leadership and tireless dedication have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Emergency Management Agency within the territory.
“Under your stewardship the FCT Federal Emergency Management Agency have achieved all respected milestone, your relentless pursue of excellence couple with personate spirit has inspired countless individual within the Agency and community at large”.
“Your legacy of service will endure as a testament of your passion of the welfare of the people and your unwavering commitment to the betterment of the society”.
Dr. Abbas Idriss’ tenure was marked by integrity, professionalism, and steadfast dedication to the principle of public services. , Mr. Mohammed Sabo explained
Earlier, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, described Idris as a workaholic, a mentor, and a seasoned professional with passion.
Mrs. Wenegieme, added that, the pioneer DG laid the very formidable foundation upon which FEMA was built and positioned on the path which has brought progress and achievements to the Agency.
The immediate past Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Adesola Olusade, said, that Dr. Abbas Idriss’s due diligence and hard work have strengthened local response to emergency situations.
Adesola stressed that, the success of the pioneer DG will be measured by the number of disasters that were avoided and controlled in the FCT under his stewardship.
On his part, the Convener, African Network for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr Soji Adeniyie expressed excitement that Idriss was leaving the Agency with very strong legacy he have established.
Dr. Abbas Idriss was appointed as the pioneer DG of the Agency in 2013 and served for 10 years until his retirement in September 2023.
