House Committee members on Emergency from the Kogi State House of Assembly have conducted an oversight visit to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
The House Committee on Emergency, led by the House Committee Chairman, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, was received by the Executive Secretary, SEMA.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak expressed gratitude to the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, for appointing Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, whom he described as an accomplished and reliable ally. He referred to his appointment as “a round peg in a round hole.”
The House Committee Chairman further disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to identify areas of challenge and collaborate with the agency as part of the oversight function of the House Committee.
He further stressed that the responsibility of the agency on emergency management is tasking, but a collaborative partnership with the House Committee on Emergency would complement the efforts of the agency.
He reiterated that the Kogi State House of Assembly has been following the activities of SEMA, especially the sensitization campaign programmes for the 2024 flood predicted by NIMET.
This proactive step taken so far by the agency has stimulated the House Committee on Emergency to extend its operations, possibly through legislative advocacy, adding that the partnership aims to enhance disaster management and mitigate the impacts of disasters on citizens.
In his welcome note, the Exercise Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Mukhtar Atimah, applauded the visit, deeming it a timely and appropriate step while stressing the need for legislative support to scale up disaster management in Kogi State.
He emphasised that Governor Ododo had zero tolerance for any form of disaster.
He commended his commitment and support, noting that Governor Ododo has charged SEMA through the office of the Deputy Governor to manage every disaster occurrence with minimal impact on the citizens.
The SEMA boss thanked the House Committee on Emergency for the visit and promised enhanced collaborative partnerships.
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