By Thompson Yamput
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organised an Emergency Preparedness, Response Stakeholders Engagement toward addressing disasters and Improve risks management in the country.
This entails embarking on effective data gathering towards strengthening disaster coordination at sub-national levels to help improve risk reduction and management in the country.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, NEMA Director General, made the disclosure on the occasion of a 3-Day emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) stakeholders’ Workshop in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, which was organised by NEMA in collaboration with the World Bank Group, Nigeria, brought various stakeholders from various organisations and those across the 21 local government areas of Kogi.
Represented by Dr Onimode Bandele, a director in the agency, the DG said, “This project aims to enhance our capacity for emergency preparedness and response, ultimately reducing the impact of disasters on our Communities.
“The objectives of this project are multifaceted; and include establishing a robust EP&R structure in every LGA, build their capacities and developing a comprehensive database of volunteers across the country.
“It’s also advocating for the adoption and inauguration of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across the 774 LGAs in the country.
“We are proud to have Kogi as one of the pilot states for this project, alongside States of Delta, Anambra, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo, and Gombe.”
Umar charged the participants to be focused and discuss extensively to provide way forward in disaster and risks management to make the country safe and peaceful place for citizens.
She appealed for the governor’s support in promoting awareness, resource mobilization, and policy guidance for the Agency’s project.
The DG added: “Your involvement will significantly enhance the project’s impact, enabling SEMA to develop effective emergency response plans, build capacity for disaster management, and foster community engagement.”
She expressed gratitude to the World Bank Group for their support and collaboration as well as thanked the efforts of “our team and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition.”
Gov. Ahmed Ododo, in his remarks, commended NEMA for its wonderful display of expertise in responding to and managing disasters across the entire nation.
Represented by his Special Adviser (SA) on Emergency Management Affairs, Mr Mohammed Chadi, the governor pledged his administration’s readiness to partner with NEMA in responding to disasters in the state.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr Mouktar Atimah, said Kogi has experienced its fair share of flooding and other disasters, hence the eagerness to work with all relevant stakeholders to find innovative and effective ways to build a more resilient state.
“It is noteworthy that last year flood affected over One Million Households and damaged properties worth Billions of Naira. We must do all we can to be prepared to respond to disaster if it were to occur.
“We must work together to be able to provide timely and effective humanitarian assistance to those affected and especially the most vulnerable, should the need arise,” he said.
Mr Francis Nkoka, Representative of World Bank Group of Nigeria, called for more stringent and collaborative efforts amongst stakeholders to arrest the menace of disaster in the country. NAN
