Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Ekiti State Government has promised to launch the State Emergency Management Agency across the 16 local government areas in a bid to mitigate disasters.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, made the promise, in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, during a sensitisation programme on prevention of rainstorms, fire outbreaks and floods, organised by the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency.
The programme was attended by traditional rulers, market men and women, security agencies, staff of the National Orientation Agency, religious leaders, media managers, civil servants, among others.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Afuye, revealed that state had witnessed all manners of rainstorm and fire disasters, with government rising to offer commensurate support to palliate the sufferings of the victims.
The Deputy Governor added that the sensitisation became expedient to build a culture of preparedness, mitigation, response and community resilience to disasters management among the citizens.
Mrs Afuye expressed joy that Ekiti State was not listed in the 2025 prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NIMET) among the states that will be hit by flooding, hinging this on the proactive actions taken by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to curb such sordid and dangerous scenario.
“NIMET had predicted that there is likely to be heavy rainfall before the end of the year in some states that will cause flooding. Although, Ekiti was not mentioned, but Governor Oyebanji approved this programme as a preventive measures against flooding in our dear state.
“Since all the stakeholders are here, I hope you will go back to the drawing board and do the necessary things to avoid flooding. Government cannot fully compensate all the losses suffered by the victims when it occurs, hence, this programme and the need for our people to take caution.
“I wish to assure you that within the shortest possible time, Local Government Emergency Management Agency will be launched to coordinate issues relating to disasters management at the grassroots”.
Describing disaster prevention as a critical part of governance, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, disclosed that environment and health are interwoven, urging the citizens to always undertake activities that can enhance the natural ambience, rather than damaging it.
“The way we manage our environment defines how long we will live on earth. If you dispose non-biodegradable materials anyhow, they won’t decay and this can pollute our environment and harm our health, apart from blocking our waterways. Let us be careful with the way we manage our environment.”
Miffed by what he described as a lacklustre attitude towards mitigation of natural disasters, the General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, urged residents to prepare for the NIMET’s prediction of flooding in the state.
Asaolu applauded Governor Oyebanji for embarking on aggressive channelisation of waterways in areas susceptible to flooding including Omisanjana, Ureje, Alasia Community, Federal Polytechnic road, Crownbiz , Onala and other critical sections of the Ado Ekiti metropolis.
“In order to complement the efforts of the government at mitigating disasters, citizens are hereby enjoined to strictly adhere to environmental laws by installing fire and smoke alarm, plan escape route from fire, observe kitchen safety and use electricity safely,” he said.
Addressing the stakeholders, the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers and Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, described the sensitization programme as very strategic in averting disasters, now that contiguous states will be affected by the flood prediction.
Oba Adu appealed to the citizens to refrain from dropping refuse and sewage indiscriminately inside canals and waterways, to prevent blockade that could result to flooding, while suggesting that offenders should be sanctioned accordingly.
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