Akwa Ibom State, Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has restated his administration's resolve to partner the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to checkmate ecological challenges in the state.
The Governor made the pledge while declaring open the Disaster Preparedness And Risk Reduction Strategies On The Outcome Of The 2023 Season Climate Prediction And Annual Flood Outlook, at the Banquet Hall, Government House , Uyo.
Governor Umo Eno expressed appreciation for the collaboration between Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET, and Nigerian Hydrological Services, NIHSA, agencies in their service delivery, saying that the union has open a new vista towards averting mistakes that was done in the past in the area of disaster management and noted that it is a common approach in the state for Ministries and Agencies to work together to achieve same purpose and bring benefits to the state.
"So we would like to appreciate the collaboration, and that is what inspired me when we had the discussion, being that you were coming together.
"You are what I may call the trifecta of disaster management which is the key aspects of what the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) does, to weather forecast which is the critical mandate of the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET, to flood control Mechanism which is what Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, is primarily amongst other mandate dedicated to you, and you have all done a great Job," he remarked.
The State Chief Executive extolled Director General of NEMA, Alh. Mustapha Habbib Ahmed, for his decision to flag off the event in Akwa Ibom, stating that Akwa Ibom being a coastal state it is prone to flooding and other erosion related challenges and commended previous administrations for taking drastic steps to ensuring the mitigation of flood disaster in the state.
Delivering a keynote address, the Director General, NEMA, Alh. Mustapha Habbib Ahmed, hinted that the Nigerian Metrological Agency and Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency have released the 2023 seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook for the year.
He described it as vital documents that contains metrological forecast in it's early onset of rainfall and high probability of flood across the country during the year, noting that it was on that premise that NEMA drew it's mandate of disaster management and decided to take the initiative of partnering with NIHSA and NIMET to work on early warning alerts in the state, local government authorities and communities at risk of flood disaster and associated hazards.
Alh. Ahmed explained that the document will enable them to make appropriate plans that can save livelihood, critical national assets and the natural ecosystem which is the bedrock of all development, emphasising that the programme is aimed at drawing attention of eminent flood and associated secondary hazard during the raining season to avoid a reoccurrence of disaster as was experienced last year.
He commended the state government for partnering with the agency in addressing disasters in the state and thanked Governor Umo Eno for donating an office space and a warehouse for NEMA to operate in the state.
The event was attended by Local Government Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and relevant Stakeholders in disaster control and emergency response.
Media Unit
Government House,Uyo
20/6/23
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