Kano to establish disaster management centre – Ganduje

Kano State government says it will establish a disaster management centre to fast track implementation of an integrated system to prevent and mitigate disasters in the state.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said this at a one-day workshop organised by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with other stakeholders, in Kano yesterday.

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Represented by Alhaji Usman Alhaji, Secretary to the State Government, Ganduje said his administration had engaged disaster management consultants to facilitate smooth take off of the centre to enhance prevention and coordinated response to emergencies.

“The centre which is the first of its kind in the North West region when established is expected to train stakeholders and the general public on reducing risk and the prevention of flooding, desertification and building collapse,” he said.

Dr Sale Jili, Executive Secretary SEMA, said the conference was to examine recurring disasters and suggest measures to manage trepidation amongst households and communities.

He said that community leaders had a role to play in mobilising the inhabitants towards confronting the challenges ahead,

Jili attributed the perennial flooding in the state to human induced activities such as dumping of waste in drains and the erection of structures on waterways among others.

The SEMA boss tasked stakeholders in the environment sector to prioritise the construction of water channels, streams and drains and promote the afforestation campaign.

He commended the governor for the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees across the 44 local government areas of the state.

In his remarks, Mr Mustapha Habib-Ahmad, Director-General, NEMA, expressed concern over the increase in the cost of managing disasters in the country.

Also, Hajiya Mu’azzatu Isah, Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry for Special Duties, said the exercise was designed to promote better coordination in disaster management through information dissemination.

“Events of natural disasters are on the rise, they do not only disrupt lives but jeopardise the entire society and the economy of the country,’’ she said. (NAN)