By Thompson ABISOLA
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Abia State, has called on the Federal Government to assist the state government to cushion the effect of disaster threatening lives and property in the state.
Acting Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr Sunday Jackson, made the call on Wednesday in Umuahia.
According to Jackson, there are at least 40 communities in the state facing various forms of disaster, including rainstorm, windstorm, flooding, and gully erosion.
He said: “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has shown great commitment to disaster management issues in Abia.
“Specifically, he has directed that SEMA should do assessments of communities that have been affected by various forms of disaster. Based on our findings, we will be able to see various areas of government interventions.
“Indeed, it is beyond the capacity of the state. That is why we are calling on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state.”
Jackson urged communities to be proactive as well as observe all the safety net rules for disaster. He also cautioned communities against acts capable of making them vulnerable to disaster.
The acting secretary explained that the agency had put together a meeting/workshop on how it could promote synergy with stakeholders in disaster management in the state for effective response.
TBI Africa reports that the two-day workshop, which ended on Wednesday, was in collaboration with the National Emergency Management (NEMA) office, Owerri operations.
