By Daniel Tyokua
Former Director General of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Dr Abbas Idriss has urged the minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike to make more provision for funding of the Agency.
He made the call at the 10th anniversary of the agency and a send-off ceremony organized in his honor in Abuja, yesterday.
During the event, the pioneer DG said there was much need to be done to reposition the Agency to be able to deliver its mandates.
Abbass said the non-assent of the Bill that established the Agency couple with the insufficient funding had grossly affected the strength and its growth.
On challenges faced by the 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 of the young Agency.
He said the threats 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 issue it had to deal with.
According to him, “further more the non domestication of the law enabling FEMA as stipulated in 1999 grossly affected strength and growth potentials of the Agency.
While making his remarks, the acting DG of the Agency Mr. Mohammed Sabo, said that over the years, Dr. Abbas Idriss’s unwavering commitment had 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”.
He said Idriss’ tenure was marked by integrity, professionalism, and steadfast dedication to the principle of public services.
Earlier, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, described Idriss 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 has 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.
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