The Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC) in the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State have been officially inaugurated at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Center, Umuahia.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Kenneth Kalu, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Sunny Jackson, emphasized that the initiative is aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response mechanisms at the grassroots level.
He charged the committee members to immediately swing into action.
Professor Kalu noted that the establishment of functional LEMCs is a requirement of the Federal Government, adding that members will undergo training in emergency report writing to improve their efficiency.
He stressed that their duties are continuous, and their involvement in proactive emergency preparedness is crucial for mitigating risks and ensuring timely response.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) represented by the Head of Operations, Mr. Igwe Nnamdi, highlighted the critical role of community involvement in disaster management, describing it as a collective responsibility that requires collaboration at all levels.
Also present at the event were representatives of relevant security and emergency response agencies. The Federal Road Safety Corps, represented by Kenneth Onyeocha on behalf of state commandant Ngozi Uzoma, The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) represented by A C. Onuegbu,and the Red Cross Society, represented by Mr. Okerie Victor, all pledged their commitment to support SEMA for prompt and coordinated emergency response.
The event featured lectures on basic first Aids and other emergency management topics aimed at equipping committee members with essential knowledge and skills.
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