Kogi Govt applauds World Bank group, NEMA on emergency Preparedness and response, pledges continued collaboration

Kogi State Government has commended the World Bank Group and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA for their commitment to disaster management.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo gave the commendation on Tuesday in a message to a workshop on Emergency Preparedness and Response stakeholders engagement holding in Lokoja, the state capital.

The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Honourable Hillary Ojomah Egwuda noted that the two organizations have made positive impacts on Preparedness and response to disasters in Kogi State, citing examples of such interventions.

He assured that Kogi State government will continue to ensure proper collaboration with the World Bank and NEMA it its quest to achieve the desired goals in disaster management.

According to the Governor, the choice of Kogi as a pilot state for the engagement demonstrates the commitment of the two bodies to addressing the challenges occasioned by natural disasters which needed to be handled by relevant stakeholders.

“The present administration in its special and usual way remains committed to ensuring that SEMA acts within its mandate and in line with global best practices, as this would go a long way at alleviating the plight of victims of natural disasters, this government has demonstrated through release of funds severally to give victims more hope”, the Governor remarked.

Also speaking, the Director General of NEMA, who was represented by Doctor Enimode Abdullahi noted that the objectives of the engagement include establishing a ruburst Emergency Preparedness and Response structure in all the local governments as well as advocate for the adoption and inauguration of local emergency management committees and developing a comprehensive database of volunteers.

The representative of the World Bank Group, Mr Francis Koka described Kogi State as unique based on its strategic location, saying the partnership with NEMA was to focus on five key areas involving emergency preparedness and response.

Mr Francis assured that the World Bank would continue to offer its technical and operational support in areas of disaster management.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Muktar Atima noted that the Agency has been proactive in its activities over the years

Muktar Atima praised the two partners for their commitment to the course, emphasizing that the present administration has demonstrated political will to make life more meaningful to the citizens.

The Executive Secretary however urged government to do more in order to overcome its challenges and achieve more in terms of delivery of its mandate.