Benue floods: PDP condemns NEMA’s slow response

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), for what is said was the slow response of the agency to the flood disaster.

In statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the leading opposition party wondered why the agency had to wait for a presidential directive before carrying out its statutory function.

Signed by Chinwe Nnorom

Head, Publicity Division on behalf of the National Publicity Secretary, the statement sympathized with the victims of the disaster which had displaced thousands of people.

It called for a more proactive real from the federal government.

The statement added: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sympathizes with the Government and people of Benue State over the devastating flood that wreaked havoc on farmlands and displaced thousands of inhabitants in twenty four communities including Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.

“Report has it that the flood disaster which occurred few days ago displaced more than one hundred and ten thousand citizens of the State and destroyed hectares of farm lands.

“We condemn the slow response of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the disaster, we wonder why NEMA, an agency created by the Federal Government with the mandate to respond speedily in times of emergency will wait for the so called “Presidential Directives” before performing its duties.

“In view of the above, we consider NEMA’s action unfortunate and unprofessional. We therefore advise all agencies of government whose duty it is to provide emergency services to do so promptly in order to save lives.

“We call on both the States and Federal Governments to be more proactive by taking adequate steps to put in place mechanisms that will curtail such level of disaster in other flood prone areas across the Country.

“Finally, we pray for the souls of all those that lost their lives to rest in perfect peace and console all the affected families to bear this irreparable loss.