The House of Representatives has called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly respond to petroleum fire disaster incidence at Abajah in Nwangele L.G.A of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency of Imo state.
The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved at the plenary on Thursday by Hon. Ugenna Ozurigbo.
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker said it is the core mandate of NEMA to quickly respond to disasters of high magnitude in Nigeria, including disasters that affect lives and livelihoods.
Ozurigbo recalled that on Tuesday 21st November, 2023, a tanker conveying Petroleum Products along Abajah-Orlu road in Imo State fell on the road and caught fire.
He added that the conveyed petroleum products spilled on the road and caused heavy fire disaster that burnt and consumed residential buildings, shops farmlands and sources of livelihood of residents and indigenes of Abajah community in Nwangele L.G.A of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency.
The lawmaker expressed worry that greater number of families and individuals in the said Abajah community are now homeless, stranded and wandering with no means of livelihood or survival.He emphasised that the destruction done by the fire disaster was colossal, the magnitude of damages are better seen than imagined.
Ozurigbo said the Green Chamber has the power to facilitate succour for Nigerians in need, especially in moments of emergency and unforeseen disasters.
The House mandated, “The National Emergency Management Agency to immediately visit the sites of this fire disaster at Abajah in Nwangele L.G.A of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency to determine the extent of the damages and provide urgent relief to the innocent victims of this Fire disaster outbreak.”