House of Representatives, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency to prioritise and provide funds for the procurement of additional air ambulances and helicopters equipped with advanced medical facilities, search and rescue capabilities to be deployed to key locations across the country
for swift mobilisation to disaster-stricken areas.
This followed the adoption of an urgent motion moved by Hon Idris Ahmed Wase at the Plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas.
The House also called for the review and increase of the budgetary provision of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to enable the Agency to invest in the training of its personnel to operate and maintain the equipment and ensure that our emergency responders are well-prepared to utilize these resources effectively.
The House further mandated the Committees on Appropriation and Disaster Preparedness to liaise with the Budget Office of the Federation and take necessary measures to ensure adequate funding is provided for the Agency in the 2025 Budget.
While moving the motion, the lawmakers noted with concern the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies in Nigeria, which pose a significant threat to human life, livelihoods, and national security.
He further noted the critical role of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in responding to emergencies and disasters across the nation and acknowledged the need to enhance NEMA’s capacity to effectively respond to these increasing challenges.
According to him, “NEMA is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing efficient disaster response and relief measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens during crisis. However, recent incidents have highlighted a significant gap in our emergency response capabilities, particularly in search and rescue and medical evacuation.
“The current fleet of air ambulances and helicopters is inadequate to cover our country’s vast and diverse terrain. This limitation hampers the agency’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.
“With the rise in natural and man-made disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents, the demand for rapid response and medical evacuation has surged. Our current capabilities are stretched thin, leaving many vulnerable citizens without timely assistance.
“In emergencies, time is of the essence. Delays in search and rescue operations or medical evacuations can result in increased fatalities and injuries. Enhancing NEMA’s air capabilities will significantly reduce response times, thereby saving lives and mitigating the impact of disasters.
“The urgent need for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to acquire additional air ambulances and helicopters to enhance its capacity for search and rescue operations, as well as medical evacuations as NEMA currently has one Air ambulance and one Bell 429 Helicopter, which were procured since 2014 from funds appropriated by the 7th Assembly.
He further explained that the negative consequences of the Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Police taking over the Air ambulance and Helicopter from NEMA have further depleted the Agency’s assets and compromised its ability to respond effectively to disasters.
When the motion was put into voice, it was unanimously supported and it was referred to the appropriate House Committees for further legislative action.
