The Managing Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr Mustapha Maihaja has charged stakeholders to make available adequate funds and equipment to allow for swift intervention or response to disasters.
Maihaja who made the charge in Lokoja on Thursday while speaking at the 2019 first stakeholders meeting also stressed the need for adequate personnel, tools and comprehensive operational plans ahead of disasters.
According to him, these measures are necessary to reduce harm and mitigate the consequences of disaster when it strikes.
The Director-General who was represented by Mr Bitrus Samuel, Head, Abuja Operations Office of NEMA said that the meeting was called to appraise the capacity and readiness of state institutions to respond to emergencies.
“NEMA routinely organises stakeholders meeting to amongst many other reasons, appraise preparedness and response capabilities of organisations to prevent emergencies, evaluate operational plans and strategies,” he said.
Maihaja also made it clear that disaster management required concerted efforts of all stakeholders to achieve a meaningful and adequate response.
He also stressed the need for stakeholders to meet regularly to identify weaknesses in capabilities so as to work together to close gaps and augment appropriately.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Mr Yusuf Omateno said that the essence of the meeting was to make stakeholders to be aware of the necessary preparedness that should be put in place for any disaster.
He said that the state, being the gateway to the North and South was vulnerable to emergencies, saying that this had made it imperative for government to be prepared at all times.
Going by the NIMET prediction, Omateno said that the state may not experience flood this year but quickly said that government cannot afford to go to sleep.
According to him, outbreak of epidemics, road accident, water mishap , air pollution and windstorm are other disasters that are prevalent in the state.
He also used the opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari and NEMA for the assistance rendered to the state during the 2018 flood disaster that ravaged some parts of the state.
(NAN)
