By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Reasons are finally being adduced as to why the president decided to relieve the NEMA DG of his job.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday sacked the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja.
Though no official reason was given as at last night for the sudden sack which was announced in a statement issued by Mr Willie Bassey, the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, presidency sources informed TheNiche that the president has all along been dissatisfied with Maihaja’s performance on the job.
“But whatever it is that finally led to this ultimate decision is a serious matter. It smacks of a perception of gross incompetence because the president hardly sacks anyone once he gives you a job. For him to take this drastic action, he must have had it up to his neck,” our source said.
Mr Bassey who also announced the appointment of Muhammadu Muhammed, a retired Air Vice-Marshall as the new boss of NEMA said Buhari has directed the fired NEMA DG to handover all official matters to the newly named DG immediately.
NEMA’s mission is to coordinate resources towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response in Nigeria. It acts in the following areas: Coordination, Disaster Risk Reduction, search and rescue; policy and strategy; Geographic Information System, Advocacy and education.
Below is Willie Bassey’s full statement.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERTION
SGF.50/S.13/VO/51
2nd May 2020
PRESS RELEASE
APPOINTMENT OF AVM MUHAMMADU ALHAJI MUHAMMED (Rtd.) AS NEW DG OF NEMA
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (Rtd.) as the new Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
2.This appointment took effect from Thursday, 30th April, 2020, for an initial period of 4 years in accordance with Section 3 of the National Emergency Management Agency Act.
3.The erstwhile Director General, Engr. Mustapha Y. Maihaja has been directed to handover all official matters to AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (Rtd.) immediately.
4.The President thanked the out-gone Director-General for his services and charged the new appointee to serve with diligence and commitment.
Willie Bassey
Director, Information
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation