The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has began a new road map on disaster management to mitigate the recurrence of disasters in the country.
The Head, NEMA Imo/Abia Operations Office, Mr Evans Ugoh, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ workshop in Owerri, with the theme; “Appraisal of Disaster Management, Next Level Road Map’’.
Ugoh said that as part of the new road map, a high frequency communication network had been designed between the agency and other sister agencies for effective disaster management in Imo and Abia.
He attributed the inefficiency of some disaster outfits to poor funding, while also encouraging authorities of such agencies to ensure the affected outfits were well funded.
According to Ugoh, the communication network will enable stakeholders to coordinate disaster activities effectively, in case of any emergency.
Giving the appraisal of the activities of the agency in 2018, Ugoh said NEMA intervened in various disaster outbreaks in Imo and Abia and also provided relief materials for flood victims in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government of Imo.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Imo, Mr Joseph Aremu called for stronger synergy between NEMA and sister agencies.
He warned against use of worn out vehicle tyres, saying that some of the road crashes recorded on Nigerian highways was caused majorly by usage of worn out tyres.
Mrs Nnenna Nwaugo, Director of Water Services in Imo, disclosed government’s plans to seal off boreholes, which, she said, were below acceptable standards.
She also lamented indiscriminate digging of boreholes in the state and warned that Imo may risk landslide or earthquake if the act was not checkmated. (NAN)