The Governor of Ekiti State Hon Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has appreciated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the support 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 visited the headquarters of NEMA today in Abuja however, requested the Agency to also assist persons affected by various disasters that have occurred recently and destroyed homes and livelihoods in some communities.
He commended NEMA under the leadership of Director General Mustapha Habib Ahmed for being proactive in the management of disasters in the country, noting that the timely relief intervention by the Agency last year provided the much-desired succor to the affected persons. He, therefore, asked for the partnership of NEMA with the Ekiti State Government towards the management of floods that have been predicted for the year, which may affect many Local Government Areas, including parts of Ekiti State.
In furtherance to the flood prediction for this year, the Governor said Ekiti State has commenced actions aimed at preventing and mitigating the 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 support within its limited resources but discovered that these were insufficient, hence the call for further support from NEMA.
Responding, the Director General NEMA Mustapha Habib Ahmed assured that the Agency was willing to partner with the Ekiti State in the areas of disaster management and urged the State Government to establish Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to strengthen the 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 a positive response desired to reduce anticipated flood risk.
The Director General NEMA 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.
