NEMA Advocates Stricter Safety Penalties in Calabar

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), led by Director General Zubaida Umar, has advocated for stricter penalties against individuals and organizations that violate safety regulations to mitigate recurrent disasters in Nigeria. This call was made during a relief distribution event for victims of a gas explosion in Calabar, Cross River State.

Umar highlighted the importance of enforcing safety regulations to prevent man-made disasters and urged authorities to prosecute violators. NEMA distributed 300 bags of food items, including rice, beans, and garri, along with 50 cartons of vegetable oil and other essentials to affected residents.

Umar acknowledged delays in the distribution process due to discrepancies in beneficiary identification. Antigha Gill, Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), described the exercise as routine support for disaster victims and emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns against fire outbreaks caused by negligence.

Beneficiary Efiom Ekpenyong, a person with disabilities, expressed gratitude for the federal government's intervention.