The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kano Operations Office, successfully conducted a two-phase stakeholders engagement and public awareness campaign to improve preparedness and response to fuel tanker accidents and explosions in Kano State and surrounding areas.
The first phase featured a simulation exercise held at the NNPC Depot in Hotoro, Kano. The drill was designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities in case of a fuel tanker fire and educate drivers on preventive safety measures. It also aimed to promote a safety-first mindset among key responders and stakeholders.
Participants in the simulation included representatives from the Federal and State Fire Services, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), district heads, media organizations, NGOs, and the Tanker Drivers Association. The joint drill tested emergency protocols, inter-agency coordination, and the ability to respond swiftly under pressure.
The second phase involved a debriefing and review meeting at the Tourist Camp Conference Hall in Kano. This session provided a platform for agencies to assess performance, highlight challenges, strengthen collaboration, and fine-tune their emergency response strategies to minimize risks associated with tanker fire disasters.
During the debriefing, technical papers were delivered by experts from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), State Fire Service (SFS), and academics from Bayero University Kano (BUK), offering data-driven insights and practical recommendations to enhance future preparedness and response efforts.
The NEMA Kano Territorial Coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and public safety through ongoing awareness campaigns, emergency simulations, and proactive disaster risk reduction strategies.
Dated: 11th June, 2025
