By Abdullah Egbakhime
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has stressed the need for stakeholders in emergency response to work together avert flood impact in Edo State.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting to brainstorm on emergency response and preparedness in the state following flood early warning alert, NEMA Head of Benin Operation office, Mr Kenoma Ojuedere, said it was designed for stakeholders to collaborate and plan together and in the end have effective response and action plan in the state.
He said the agency has discovered that emergency stakeholders are doing things separately, adding that it is best for them to work together as a team for effective and result oriented plan.
“The meeting would increase stakeholders readiness and preparedness for disaster management in Edo State
“And it will ensure that there will be no lost of lives and displaced people during the flood.
“We want to know what other stakeholders have like ambulances health centers among others because if they are ready before flood disaster, there will be no lost of life,” he explained.
He said the meeting was called following the alert received two week ago that Lado Dam will release water soon, which he said necessitated early preparation.
He appealed to the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to support the state emergency agency in thee area of vehicles and other logistics to be able to response effectively.
Also speaking during the meeting, Jerry Idahosa, the Executive Secretary of Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the event was to meet with stakeholders to deliberate and discuss on the ways forward and put measures in place in preparation ahead of the impending flood.
He said as part of effort to mitigate the impact of the flood, the agency has sensitized communities on the bank of the river Niger on what to expect during emergency in order not to be caught in the disaster when it happens.
He said the state government has addressed the challenge of materials getting to the victim of disasters in the state by going with the media to ensure that they are not diverted.
According to him, the state government has commenced renovation of the IDP camps to make them habitable, while putting tents in areas where there are not camps.
NEXTER reports that the stakeholders include, Red Cross, Police, NSCDC, National Youth Corps Service, State ministry of heath,NOA, Edo State Emergency Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Fire Service, among others.
