House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to purchase more air ambulances and helicopters for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Gatekeepers News reports that this move aims to enhance NEMA’s search and rescue operations and ensure swift mobilization to disaster-stricken areas.
Lawmaker Idris Wase, who sponsored the motion, noted that Nigeria faces an increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies, posing a significant threat to human life, livelihoods, and national security. He emphasised the need to enhance NEMA’s capacity to effectively respond to these challenges.
Wase highlighted the inadequacy of NEMA’s current fleet, stating, “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.”
The lawmaker stressed that enhancing NEMA’s air capabilities will significantly reduce response times, saving lives and mitigating the impact of disasters.
He noted that NEMA currently has only one air ambulance and one Bell 429 helicopter, which were procured in 2014.
The House has mandated the committees on appropriation and disaster preparedness to ensure adequate funding is provided for NEMA in the 2025 budget to address this critical need.
