He said the deployment was to ensure that states take proactive and effective measures to save lives during the rainy season.
“We are here with experts from NIHSA and NiMet to support this initiative of the downscaling of disaster early warning measures to grassroots for effective live-saving early actions during the 2023 rainy season.
“We are deploying the same experts from NEMA, NiMet and NIHSA to all the states of the federation and the FCT to downscale and take the early warning message to all the relevant end users across socio-economic sectors.
“I am very confident that this initiative will enable all responsible actors take risk informed decisions to enable them match early warning with early action, support disaster risk management, safeguard national food security and engender sustainable socio- economic growth in Nigeria,” he stated.
Ahmed mentioned that the event was flagged off in Uyo in consideration of the existing mutual support and collaboration between NEMA and the Akwa Ibom government.
He explained that certain disasters are avoidable, transferable or adaptable if credible information is deployed, the right plans are developed, people at the grassroots take the right decision and provide timely response to disasters.
He urged states governments to equip and support Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) with adequate capacity building, funding and equipment to take disaster risk management to the communities that would ensure safe and resilient communities.
While speaking, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno promised to support the efforts of NEMA with a befitting office accommodation and warehouse facility to enable the stockpiling of relief items for easy deployment in the event of an emergency.