The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for stronger collaboration among emergency stakeholders to ensure a more effective and coordinated response to flooding in Edo.
Mr Kenoma Ojuedere, Head of Operations, NEMA, Benin Office, made the appeal on Wednesday in Benin during a stakeholders’ meeting.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was convened to brainstorm on preparedness and develop a statewide flood response plan following recent early warning alerts.
Ojuedere said it was time for agencies and partners to stop working in isolation and embrace synergy in order to save lives and reduce the impact of flooding in the state.
“We discovered that many stakeholders are doing things individually. If we pool resources, collaborate, and plan as one team, the response will be far more effective and result-oriented.
“The meeting is aimed at producing a workable flood action plan that will boost readiness and ensure no loss of life or mass displacement during emergencies.
“We want to know what every stakeholder has on ground – ambulances, health centers, response vehicles. If they are ready before disaster strikes, we can prevent loss of lives,” he added.
The head of operations identified inadequate logistics, vehicles, and resources as major challenges, but expressed optimism that collective action would bridge the gap.
Ojuedere, however, appealed to Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo to support the state’s emergency structures with vehicles and logistics to strengthen response capacity.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Jerry Idahosa, said the state had stepped up engagement with flood-prone communities through sensitisation.
“We are preparing residents ahead because if people are aware, they won’t be caught off-guard during flooding.
“The state government has addressed long-standing concerns about diversion of relief materials by ensuring media presence and personally supervising distribution to victims.
“In the past, materials leave the warehouse but don’t reach the affected communities. Since I assumed office, I personally escort items to communities, and none have been diverted,” Idahosa said.
He also disclosed that the government had begun renovation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to make them more habitable, while tents would be provided in areas without camps.
He noted that the poor condition of past shelters, lack of water supply, and inadequate feeding discouraged many displaced persons from leaving their flooded homes, but the present administration was now tackling the challenges.
Earlier, Mr Fabian Imogomoh, Head, Disaster Management, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, expressed concern on the diversion of foodstuff meant for displaced persons.
The officer called on the government to address the menace.
Stakeholders present at the meeting include representatives of the State Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Red Cross, Police, NSCDC and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Others are National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Fire Service, and SEMA, among others.
