NEMA tasks workers on ethics, accountability

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar has tasked staff of the agency to exhibit professionalis...

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar has tasked staff of the agency to exhibit professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties

This is as she appealed to the staff to see any interaction with people on their job as an opportunity to create trust, dignity and save lives.

Umar made the appeal in her speech read by Amaka Ifesi in Owerri, during the flag off for their two days customer week in Imo State

According to her, it was critical for NEMA operatives to consider every interaction with the public as an “opportunity to create trust, restore dignity, and save lives. Let us continue to uphold the values of empathy, professionalism, and accountability, which are the true hallmarks of excellent service”, Umar said.

The NEMA DG praised the staff for showing courage, professionalism, and compassion in the face of daunting challenges that embody the best of public service.

She said, “We will also celebrate our customers, stakeholders, partners, and dedicated staff. Your courage, professionalism, and compassion in the face of daunting challenges embody the very best of public service.

‘’From the front-line responders in disaster, prone communities, call-centre operators, to the planners, those delivering relief materials and policy teams working behind the scenes, each of you is a critical link in the chain of services that keeps Nigerians safe. Your resilience reminds us that customer service is not only about systems and processes, it is about people serving people.”

Umar expressed the hope that NEMA staff will always serve with their heart and might as enshrined in the national pledge and to act with urgency saying “to stand with every Nigerian, in every disaster, every time. With determination and collaboration, mission possible will continue to define our service”, she said.

In his remarks, the NEMA head of Imo and Abia states, Nnamdi Igwe said the week offered an opportunity to liaise with other agencies for emergency and crisis response like the Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Imo State and Local Government Emergency Management Agency, and to foster new collaborations.

Igwe said the customer service week was an opportunity to reflect on how efficient emergency response had been, appreciate the staff, and identity new ways to serve the public better and with professionalism, respect, and compassion.

Further, he said the Owerri operations office will continue to serve Imo and Abia states with commitment, empathy, laced with continuous improvement, saying all NEMA staff were part of the customer service chain that ensures smooth operations and public satisfaction.

He said “As we mark this day, let us reaffirm our commitment to service excellence, empathy, communication, and continuous improvement. Whether we serve the public directly or support our colleagues behind the scenes, we are all part of the customer service chain that ensures smooth operations and public satisfaction. Every customer interaction is an opportunity to build trust, create value, and to make a lasting impression”.

Igwe however called on his colleagues to always ensure that relief items like food are of good quality and that the people are treated with respect for their rights.

Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service for Imo State, Chioma Onyeukwu, an Assistant Superintendent of Fire, commended NEMA Owerri for it dedication to emergency response in the State and expressed the support of Fire Service to always work with the agency for emergencies.

Representative of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ifeyinwa Omeke said FRSC and NEMA shared a common mandate which is to provide timely response to the public during emergencies.

She stated that their jobs were demanded compassion, saying the public relies on them for immediate response during emergency and pledged continuous support to work with NEMA.

There were demonstrations on how to respond to fire outbreak, evacuate injured people, and the importance of muster points during emergencies which must be discharged with calm so as not to traumatise the people.

One of the staff, Mr Sunny Iwuala received an award for exemplary commitment and dedication to duty.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).