NEMA trains Bayelsa SEMA on disaster management

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in continued effort to enhance the performance of States Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) in the South-South zone has conducted a special training for staff of the newly inaugurated Bayelsa SEMA on disaster management.

The training was designed to acquaint the participants with the basic skills for disaster management and disaster risk reduction.

Addressing the participants, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) appreciated the support from the National Emergency Management Agency to improve on the capacity of the staff to carry out their duties. He identified Bayelsa as one of the states with high incidence of disasters from oil exploration and other natural causes requiring appropriate skills and institutions to tackle such situations.

The Deputy Governor further emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders in disaster management, regular interaction continuous capacity improvement of emergency workers to promote disaster risk reduction for efficient and effective protection of lives, properties and preservation of the environment.

The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, in his remarks delivered by the South South Zonal Coordinator Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele identified the need for the State Governments to accord proper attention to issues of disaster management given the rising impacts of climate change and environmental degradation that have continued to result in serious emergencies across the globe.

He tasked the governments to also address various the causes of man-made disasters in their areas by evolving measures to protect the environment and promote community resilience.

The Director-General of NEMA further called on the states to take advantage of the structures and facilities available in the agency, to build the capacity of their agencies that have responsibilities of managing disasters.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, Lt. Col. Rowland Iyekoroghe (rtd) said, as a new agency it was requiring proper training and orientation on disaster management so as to equip the personnel with necessary skills. He then appreciated NEMA for coming to lay the right foundation for the agency.

The training covered areas on: Basic Principles of Disaster Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Basic First Aid, Post Disaster/Needs Assessment, Coordination and Stakeholders’ Responsibility, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Principles of Water Rescue, Community Preparedness Plan, and Basic Fire Fighting Technique.

At the end of the training workshop, certificates were presented to participants who were urged to take disaster management issues more seriously and to reduce hazards and vulnerability in the communities.