By Gloria Ikibah
The Governor of Ekiti State, Hon Biodun Oyebanji has appreciated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for supports provided by the Agency on behalf of the Federal Government to persons that were affected by the 2022 flood that devastated some communities in the state.
Governor Oyebanji who stated this when visited the headquarters of NEMA in Abuja, requested for partnership of with NEMA towards the management of flood that have been predicted for the year, which may affect many Local Government Areas, including parts of Ekiti State.
He further commended NEMA under the leadership of the Director General Mustapha Ahmed for being proactive in the management of disasters in the country; and requested that the Agency also assist persons affected by various disasters that have occurred recently and destroyed homes and livelihoods in some communities.
According to him, the timely relief intervention by the Agency last year provided the much desired succor to the affected persons.
In furtherance to the flood prediction for this year, the Governor said Ekiti State has commenced actions aimed at preventing and mitigating risk of the flood. He also invited the Director General of NEMA to visit the state towards strengthening preparations against the predicted flood and management of other disasters in the state.
On the request for relief assistance to persons affected by recent disasters in the state, Governor Oyebanji said the State Government had provided some supports within its limited resources but discovered that these were insufficient, hence the call for further supports from NEMA.
In response, the DG NEMA Mustapha Ahmed assured that the Agency was willing to partner the Ekiti State in the areas of disaster management and urged the State Government to establish Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to strengthen grassroots response to disasters.
He commended the Governor for steps taken so far on the flood prediction for the year, noting that the Governor has demonstrated positive response desired to reduce anticipated flood risk.
The NEMA Boss highlighted the significance of capacity building of human resources for efficient disaster management, as the Agency recently facilitated an international executive course in partnership with Bournemouth University, bringing together Nigerian stakeholders including SEMA that were trained in Abuja.
The Governor was received by the Director General, Directors and senior management staff at the Agency's conference hall.
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