Yuletide: NEMA flags-off “Operation Eagle Eye” in Imo, urges govt to enforce ban on fireworks

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Owerri, Dec. 22, 2021

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday flagged off a two weeks intensive program called “Operation Eagle Eye” in Imo, in readiness to tackle any emergency occurrence during the 2021 yuletide season.

The NEMA head of Imo/ Abia operations office Mr. Ifeanyi Nnaji said at the flag-off that the exercise would check road traffic abuse, as well as reduce emergency risks in Imo.

He said NEMA partnered Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, as well as Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to carry out the operation.

Nnaji raised alarm over indiscriminate use of fireworks in Imo and urged the state government to urgently begin enforcement of the law against use of fireworks.

He explained that fireworks could cause fire outbreak or be used for robbery activities as well as constituting serious health hazards.

The Zonal Commander, Zone J, Federal Fire Service (ACC) Ijeoma Achi said the exercise would successfully raise consciousness of the masses against activities that could trigger emergency.

She assured of the readiness of personnel of the Federal Fire Service in delivering swift service in case of any incident of fire outbreak.

Achi commended NEMA for the initiative and called for stronger synergy among disaster managers in Imo.