ASHENEWS reports that the lack of defined roles for the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) was a bone of contention during the 2024 budget screening of the Ministry and Agency at the state House of Assembly.
The Legislators who were conducting the screening wondered the exact roles the Humanitarian Ministry and NSEMA are carrying out in the state while noting that the budget for NSEMA seems higher than that of the Ministry.
The Chairman of the Committee of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Honorable Afiniki Dauda, said there were no defined streamlined roles for both institutions, saying the government has caused confusion in placing NSEMA under the Ministry of Humanitarian and not giving them specific roles to play.
“From what I have seen here, there is no collaboration and no streamlining of activities. You need to work together as a team, it is not okay the way they are operating now.
“Seriously, there is confusion over the roles of NSEMA and the Humanitarian Ministry. I wonder why an agency in the state would be superior to the ministry. I will see the Governor and tell him that he has caused confusion over the defined roles of the Humanitarian Ministry and the NSEMA. I will get to the bottom of this”, she said.
In defence, the Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Arah, explained that they were initially operating under the office of the Deputy Governor before the new administration placed them under the Humanitarian Affairs. He addee that going by their mandate, they are supposed to deal with everything emergency like fire disaster, flood, accidents, insecurity attacks amongst others.
He said that they were directed by the government when the Ministry was set up that they were to conduct field operations that the Ministry of Humanitarian would back them up.
Arah emphasized that despite the overlapping roles with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, there is no confusion about the agency’s mandate.
“NSEMA is the primary agency for emergency and rescue operations, and we have been cooperating with the ministry in the spirit of partnership. As far as I am concerned, there is no ambiguity here neither is there any confusion.
“NSEMA is the agency that is meant to undertake emergency and rescue operations. We were here before the Ministry was formed but in the spirit of partnership, we have done our best to accommodate the Ministry and to cooperate with them.
“So we don’t have any confusion, we don’t have any ambiguity in our modus operandi unless you want to start knocking out heads about”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Barrister Mero Mohammed Mann said that humanitarian covers everything and is everyone’s business.
She stated that though NSEMA was in existence before the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, their roles would be sorted out to ensure that there is unity in purpose and impact.
“The roles are going to be sorted. We have a very healthy working relationship. But again, since there is a law establishing NSEMA and that law is presently in the Ministry of Justice proposed amendments will ensure better performance and coordination. But all that is going to be sorted eventually”, she assured.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted key challenges, including inadequate funding and the need for improved collaboration.
“Humanitarian affairs are everyone’s business, but the resources we have are limited. Disasters occur without notice, and we need substantial support to meet the growing demands,” she explained.
Mann further pointed out that a standing order for monthly provisions to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would significantly improve the ministry’s response capacity.
“If we have a stockpile of food, mattresses, drugs, and blankets, it will go a long way in addressing the needs of IDPs. Unfortunately, insecurity has worsened the situation, leading to an increase in their numbers,” she added.
Despite the challenges, there is optimism for better outcomes in 2025. Mann described the ministry’s budget as “a budget of hope” and expressed confidence in improved funding to meet its mandate.
Arah similarly reaffirmed NSEMA’s commitment to improving disaster management with government support.
