RSG Saves N14bn Worth Of Property – Ikanya

The Rivers State Government has saved N14 billion worth of properties from fire disasters last year. The commissioner for Special Duties, Engr Davies Ikanya Ibiamu who disclosed this at a stakeholders Advocacy meeting for the establishment of Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, also said that his ministry will soon introduce to the Rivers State House of Assembly an emergency management bill. Giving further insight into the level of disaster occurrence in Rivers State, Engr Ibiamu said that about 200 families were displaced by flooding last year at Ndoni in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, while a number of communities in the riverine areas are being washed off by tidal movement. He said that this ugly development has underscored the need for the state to be adequately prepared for the challenges ahead. On the Rivers State Emergency Management Bill being proposed by the ministry, the commissioner said that the bill seeks to make the state governor the chief incident manager of the state. Speaking on stakeholders responsibilities, co-ordination and collaboration for effective disaster management, the zonal co-ordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Emenike Umesi said that NEMA has approved six universities in the six geopolitical zones to run programmes on emergency management. Mr Umesi said that NEMA is of the view that Rivers State should have an Agency legally formed to co-ordinate emergencies in the state. The NEMA Zonal Co-ordinator also called for the establishment of a Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). In her lecture on the impact of emergencies on children, the representatives of UNICEF, Mrs Moureen Zubie-Okolo said that appropriate modalities should be put in place to save the children and women especially during emergencies. She also lent her voice for the establishment of Rivers State Emergency Management Agency.