The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has received an appeal from the outgoing Director General of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Dr. Abbas Idriss, to facilitate increased funding for the agency.
Dr. Idriss made the call during a send-off ceremony in Abuja, marking FEMA’s tenth anniversary.
Highlighting the necessity of repositioning FEMA to effectively fulfill its mandates, Dr. Idriss underscored challenges such as the non-assent of the bill that established the agency and insufficient funding. He emphasized the adverse impact these factors had on the agency’s strength and growth.
Addressing the challenges, Dr. Idriss stated, “Looking at the mandate of FEMA when it was created in 2013, the bombing incidents that followed, and other emergencies, including endemic and flood threats, hampered the survival of the young agency. These threats were exacerbated by the absence of the take-up grant and budgetary constraints that should have empowered the agency to address the prevailing issues it had to deal with. Furthermore, the non-domestication of the law enabling FEMA, as stipulated in 1999, significantly affected the strength and growth potentials of the agency.”
The Acting DG of FEMA, Mr. Mohammed Sabo, lauded Dr. Idriss’s commitment, visionary leadership, and tireless dedication during his tenure. Sabo highlighted the agency’s achievements under Idriss’s leadership and emphasized the enduring legacy of service left by the outgoing DG.
Earlier remarks from Director of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation at FEMA, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, described Idriss as a workaholic, mentor, and seasoned professional who laid a formidable foundation for FEMA’s progress.
