Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended satellite internet provider Starlink for donating specialised communication equipment to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), describing the intervention as a boost to Nigeria’s emergency and disaster response capabilities.
Shettima said the partnership between Nigeria and SpaceX’s Starlink would enhance NEMA’s response time and improve coordination during emergencies and disaster situations across the country.
The Vice President spoke on Tuesday while receiving a delegation comprising officials of NEMA and SpaceX, led by NEMA Director-General, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, at the State House in Abuja.
He stressed the importance of effective communication in emergency management, noting that reliable connectivity becomes even more critical during disasters such as floods and other humanitarian crises.
Shettima also assured SpaceX that the donated equipment would be deployed effectively and utilised responsibly by NEMA personnel across designated operational locations nationwide.
“Communication is the essence of humanity and during the period of emergencies and flood disasters, partnerships with Starlink can come in handy,” he said.
Earlier, Umar thanked the technology company for providing high-speed satellite internet hardware and data plans to support emergency response and disaster management efforts across Nigeria.
She disclosed that the donation includes 91 standard and mini communication units, which would help address connectivity challenges in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
According to her, some of the equipment will be deployed to 50 designated emergency flashpoints across the country, while NEMA’s command-and-control centre will also be upgraded to improve operational efficiency.
Umar said the intervention would significantly strengthen the agency’s capacity to coordinate emergency responses and provide timely assistance during disasters.
Also speaking, a representative of SpaceX Starlink, Mr. Peter Kroetger, commended Nigeria’s disaster preparedness and emergency management framework despite challenges associated with technology adoption and integration.
He expressed satisfaction with NEMA’s structure and preparedness mechanisms, describing them as important factors in the deployment of SpaceX technology for emergency management operations.
Deji Elumoye
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