6th December, 2010
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, says preparation for disaster management in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, is imperative because disasters come mostly unannounced.
General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, LASEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who said this at the inauguration of the Local Emergency Management Committee, LEMC, at Agbowa, Epe area of the state gave the example of the displaced victims of the Ajegunle flood disaster, which led to the relocating of about 1,000 people to the Relief Camp at Agbowa.
“It must be noted that disaster management requires the active participation and collaboration of all stakeholders, especially those at the local government and local council development areas.
“This is so because the impact of any disaster or emergency is always on the immediate communities. If this is true therefore, the wisest thing to do is to think ahead and have a solid mechanism in place, in anticipation of such emergencies, which often times do not give warnings,†he said.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “disasters like the Ajegunle flood, much as we do not pray for them, will occasionally come. That is why we need the LEMCs on ground as the first and immediate organ of response, before further assistance would come from higher quarters.
“I wish to state that throughout the world, emphasis has shifted from search and rescue to disaster risk reduction through emergency prevention, mitigation and early warning. Therefore, we in Lagos State cannot accept the back seat or be complacent with our modest achievements. We must strive to catch up with the rest of the world in this important area of saving lives and property.â€
He stated that the agency intended to establish School Emergency Response Teams in primary and secondary schools, as well as Hospital Emergency Management Committees in all General Hospitals in the state.
The LASEMA boss stated that the inauguration of the committee only went a step further to legitimize and formalize what “we have been doing together, for better results.
“Indeed, the best time for this exercise is now, as the state moves swiftly to the rank of mega status. That status comes with its own challenges, like exposure to more traffic accidents upon increased vehicular density, possibility of floods, fire disasters and sundry others.
“Since disasters do not give warning, ours is to be prepared and be ready to move into action, everyday; every hour; every minute; every second and every moment.â€
He added that the aim of establishing the LEMCs was to prevent or reduce the impact of emergencies within their geographical jurisdiction; to ensure the preparedness of their community; to coordinate response to any emergency or disaster; to undertake emergency risk management process to identify and analyse local hazards and vulnerability and to provide for the recovery of their community.
So, far the LEMC has been established in 11 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas such as Eredo, Imota, Ikosi-Ejinrin, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Ijede, Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Oshodi, Isolo, Agege and Ojodu.
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