NEMA needs stronger Establishment Act, says DG

From Fred Ezeh & Fred Itua, Abuja

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, has identified deficiencies in the Establishment Act as being responsible for perceived “ineffectiveness” in service delivery and quick resolution to internal labour disputes.

Its spokesman, Sani Datti, said the agency boss told House of Representatives’ Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Abuja yesterday that the recent industrial disharmony in the agency degenerated due to deficiency in the act.

The meeting was at the instance of the committee, which invited the NEMA management and its staff union leaders to resolve the recent industrial disputes that resulted in a day strike by the staff last week.

He told the lawmakers that some of the issues that caused the disputes could have been properly handled with stronger and more effective Establishment Act.

He solicited the support of the legislators to campaign for the amendment of NEMA Establishment Act, stressing that it would avail it powers to tackle humanitarian and labour challenges.

The lawmakers commended the parties for quick resolution of the labour disharmony, urging them to abide by the agreements to avoid repeat of the strike.

They promised to consider the request and present same to larger House for support, contributions and suggestions.

Maihaja also yesterday, told senators that the unrest which rocked the agency last week had been resolved.