For comprehensive coordination of disaster issues, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised the Edo State Government to establish its own State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and empower same to be fully operational in the discharge of its responsibilities.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele gave the advice in Benin-City during a visit to the State Commissioner for Women Affairs Ms Blessing Maigida. The visit was part of the familiarization of the newly deployed coordinator to the states under the NEMA’s South South zonal office.
He requested the Commissioner to push for the State Government to initiate a Bill to the State House of Assembly for the necessary legislative backing in the establishment of the SEMA. With the existence of a functional SEMA in the state, he said incidences of disasters such as those that have occurred in the state could be managed within the states resources and refer only overwhelming cases to the Federal Government through NEMA.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Mr. A.E Akhuamhekhun appreciated NEMA for always supporting of the State in the event of disasters. He said the State Government has already prepared an Executive Bill which will soon be sent to the House of Assembly for the establishment of the SEMA.
Meanwhile, in a similar visit to Asaba, NEMA Zonal Coordinator Dr Onimode said the Delta State Government has set a good example in the empowerment of its SEMA which he noted as one the best that stood out in the management of the 2012 flood disaster. The NEMA team was received by the Permanent Secretary in-charge of the Delta SEMA, Mrs. Julie Young.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
