Governor Hope Uzodimma on Thursday inaugurated a 135-member Local Emergency Management Committees to enhance flood disaster preparedness and response in Imo.

The LEMCs is made up of a five-member committee from each of the 27 LGAs.

Declaring open a two-day training workshop for them in Owerri, Mr Uzodimma restated his administration’s continued commitment to emergency disaster management in Imo.

Mr Uzodimma, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Cosmas Iwu said the structure had been there at the state level.

“What we are doing today is to replicate them at the local government levels where disasters usually occur. We don’t have to wait for disasters to occur before taking action as the committees will prevent disaster by monitoring environmental indices for necessary proactive measures,” he said.

In a speech, the South-East zonal director of NEMA, Wilson Brandon, lauded Imo for being the first state in  the South-East and South-South to establish LEMC.

Mr Brandon explained that the NEMA Establishment Act stipulated the establishment of the LEMC across the country. He underscored the importance of the committees, urging stakeholders to leverage on their existence to mitigate disasters at the local government levels.

The chairman of Oru West LGA, Ikenna Adikibe, commended Uzodimma for his visionary leadership and consistent commitment to the safety and well-being of Imo residents.

Mr Adikibe said the inauguration and training of LEMCs demonstrated Uzodimma’s proactive governance, “one that places human lives, community resilience and disaster preparedness at the centre of development”.

He assured the governor of the local government chairmen’s support towards achieving the goals of the programme.

“The training will undoubtedly equip them with knowledge, tools and strategies, required for effective disaster prevention, mitigation and response,” he added.

(NAN)