National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Disaster Management in South East 2009 – 2016

Abstract

The growing trend of disasters has continued to pose serious challenges for sustainable
national development in Nigeria. This study therefore explored the link between National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the administration of emergency situations in
the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria, between 2009 and 2016. We anchored our
analysis on the theory of structural functionalism. The questions of the study include; how did
the application of multi-sectoral approach by NEMA undermine disaster management in the
South East geo-political zone between 2009 – 2016. Does the structure of decentralization of
NEMA’s operational framework weaken disaster management in the South East geo-political
zone of Nigeria? We hypothesized as follows: the application of multi-sectoral approach
undermines disaster Management in the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria; the pattern
of decentralization of NEMA’s operational framework adversely affects disaster Management
in the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria. Primary and secondary data were collected
via survey and documentary methods, while content analysis based on logical deduction was
employed. On the basis of the above, the study found amongst others that: the existence of
bureaucratic bottlenecks in NEMA operations, the existence of multiple agencies performing
conflicting roles in disaster management across the country, and the pattern of
decentralization of NEMA’s operational framework adversely affect disaster management in
South East geo-political zone of Nigeria, between 2009 and 2016. The study therefore
concluded that NEMA’s operational inadequacies undermine its capacity to respond to and
manage disasters in the South East geo-political zone. Among others, the study recommends
that there is the need to amend NEMA’s operational procedures to eliminate inefficient
bureaucracies and empower the zonal offices to ensure prompt response to disasters.