In a move to strengthen disaster management in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has established Owerri Operation office in Imo state to provide proximity of response in timely manner to locations within its area of coverage.
The Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi urged State governments to always give support to their own State Emergency management Agencies to be fully operational while local governments are encouraged to also form their emergency management committees. He noted that states were encouraged to develop their coordinating systems in line with the national coordination mechanism, as this would reduce cost and shorten response time.
The DG who was represented by Director Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Eugene Eze stated that the Owerri Operation office is saddled with the responsibility of disaster management in Imo and Abia states and also coordinates the activities of government and nongovernmental organizations that are involved in disaster management in the States.
Owerri Operation Office was carved out of South east Zonal office in Enugu state and is located at No. 10 Barrister Obinna Okwara crescent, new Owerri, Imo State and Head by Dr. Innocent Ezeaku. With the creation of Owerri Operation Office, the agency now has six (6) operations and Six (6) zonal offices across the country.
Representing the Imo state Governor, the Executive Secretary Imo SEMA, Mrs Ezeonyeasi Uche stated that before now, NEMA South east Zonal office in Enugu was the closest point of contact for emergency responses but that the presence of Imo operation office is a blessing to the state.
In attendance at commissioning were members of the Red Cross, Federal Road Safety Corps, SEMA, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, NESREA, Ministry of Information, and other stakeholders.
Sani Datti
Snr Information Officer
