The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has solicited for media support and partnership in preventing the outbreak of Lassa fever and Coronavirus in the country.
The Ekiti Head of Operations of NEMA, Mr Olusegun Afolayan, who made the call at a stakeholders meeting in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday called on residents to refrain from activities capable of causing disasters in the state.
The theme of the stakeholders meeting was: “Strengthening Inter-Agency Relationship on Preparedness and Response to Emergencies in Ado-Ekiti”.
Afolayan disclosed that the agency launched introduction of mass messages which would help in the awareness and preparation to build a culture of prevention and mitigation of natural disasters.
He said that it would help in building their capacity and develop ways of arresting disastrous events and enhance effective communication and synergy, adding that most of the disasters were self-inflicted.
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The NEMA Head of Operations further revealed that the agency recently developed a plan on mass fatality and National Disaster Risk Management policy that would provide supportive measures to strengthen communities, individuals, businesses and institution to minimise adverse effects of disasters.
This plan, he stated, would enhance the ability to prepare, respond, react and prevent disasters across the state.
Mr Jide Borode, the General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), advised residents to abide by the rules that could prevent disasters in their environment.
He urged residents to desist from the habit of dumping refuse arbitrarily in drainages and canals to prevent flood disaster since the rainy season would soon commence.
At the meeting, papers were presented on overview of coordination in emergency response and importance of information management in emergencies.
Participants at the meeting included emergency experts, Police, Fire Service, Immigration, National Orientation Agency, Red Cross, Nigeria Television Authority, Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, among others.