The Kaduna State Government has begun to develop its early warning systems to strengthen disaster risk preparedness for improved disaster management, the state Deputy Governor,.Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has said.
Dr. Balarabe revealed this at the opening of a two-day workshop on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The workshop was organized by the State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) to equip Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC’s) from the 23 LGAs and emergency stakeholders.
She said the workshop was necessary to enhance the state’s early warning and early response system, adding that by equipping the LEMCs with the necessary knowledge and tools, the state can detect, report, and respond to disasters.
“As we continue to face various natural and human-induced hazards, it is imperative that we equip our LEMC’s with the necessary tools, knowledge, and systems to effectively anticipate, respond, and mitigate potential disasters,” Balarabe said.
She praised the UNICEF, Red Cross Nigeria and Christian Aid for their continued support to SEMA to enable the building of a more resilient state, adding that “Their dedication to our state’s disaster risk management efforts is truly commendable and I look forward to furthering our partnership in this critical endeavor.”
The Deputy Governor also commended the new management of KADSEMA for their efforts in responding to various disasters in the state, and called on them to up their activities in forging more inter-agency collaborations and to strengthen their capacity to proactively prevent disaster.
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Emergency Specialist, Olayinka Afolabi, said the state was the only state that has an emergency contingency plan in place and among the few with such committees.
He stated the UNICEF was glad to support the state in strengthening the capacity of these committees as the impact of disasters affect local communities.
Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Usman Mazadu, said the state was building an emergency centre at its headquarters with the support of UNICEF to strengthen its Early Warning System (EWS).