Femi Giwa, general manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, has warned residents against prank emergency calls.

Mr Giwa also urged states to build stronger institutions, adopt technology, and foster collaboration to improve emergency management across Nigeria.

He made the call while speaking at the ongoing National SEMA Conference in Lagos and appealed to the state residents to desist from making fake emergency calls, as they put lives at risk.

“Response time is very important in saving lives. When residents make false calls, they block genuine callers from reaching emergency lines.

“I urge residents to please not make nuisance calls. Only call when there is a real emergency,” he said.

He noted that disasters were often random and unavoidable, but with adequate preparedness, states could reduce their impact.

“This forum provides an opportunity for emergency managers and agencies to share ideas and chart an efficient pathway for disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, ultimately building a resilient Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that effective disaster management rested on collaboration, strong institutions, and adequate infrastructure, stressing that no single agency can respond effectively without collective effort.

“Emergency management depends on collaboration. For example, when a building collapses, it takes firefighters, LASBCA, medical responders, and others working together.

“If the institutions are not well equipped and their capacity is not built, it becomes very difficult,” he explained.

He urged state governments lagging behind to explore innovative funding options, including community engagement and partnerships with the private sector.

Mr Giwa also encouraged them to leverage ICT for predictive analytics, data gathering, and improved coordination.

The SEMA conference continues in Lagos, bringing together state emergency managers, NEMA officials, and other stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management systems.

(NAN)