We’ve saved 4,880 lives, properties worth N99.3m in 2023 — FEMA

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has disclosed that it has been able to save over 4,880 lives and properties worth N99.3 million naira in various disasters in the FCT, within the current year.

The acting Director General, FEMA, Ambassador Ibrahim Mohammed Sabo, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday during a media interaction.

Sabo said the agency saved 1,842 lives from fire incidences, 174 lives from building collapses, and 2,864 lives from floodings across the FCT, in 2023.

He added that the Agency saved properties worth N99.3m from fire outbreaks, adding that in the past 9 months, only a total of eight lives had been lost in building collapse and flooding incidences.

He said: “Our major responsibility is saving lives and property of FCT residents, and with the full support we are having from the FCT administration, we have been able to save about 1,842 lives, that’s in all fire incidences that occurred within the FCT, and no life was lost completely. And we have been able to save properties worth about N99.3 million, that is on fire outbreaks.

“Regarding building collapse, we have been able to save 174 lives. We lost four unfortunately, during buiding collapse. And in the case of flooding, in total, we have been able to save 2,864 lives”.

The FEMA boss lamented the loss of lives to flood incidents, noting that in most cases, the death of the victims were avoidable.

“We have lost four unfortunately, during flooding. Most of these lives that were lost during flooding, a lot in essence, are avoidable. In most of these flood-prone areas, we have barricades, and we normally place a sign there, warning people about the issue of fooding in that area. And we have our vanguards that are stationed there 24 hours”.

Sabo further stated that the FCT Minister had constituted a committee to ensure the prevention of fire incidents, adding that anyone found culpable in any disaster will be charged to court.

Meanwhile FEMA Director in charge of Forecasting Response and Mitigation, Florence Wenegieme, urged residents to adhere to warnings by the Agency regarding disasters and obey the marshals and instructions.

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