As part of preparatory measures to prevent flood disasters in the States under the Area of Responsibility of the Ekiti Operations Office, it became necessary to monitor the State of preparedness of all stakeholders of Disaster Management in Ondo State. To this end, the Ekiti Operations Office in collaboration with the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency organized a Stakeholders meeting on Thursday 16th May 2024. This availed the Ekiti Operations Office and Ondo SEMA the opportunity to interact with Stakeholders ahead in order to put up measures to prevent, mitigate and plan up for a swift and coordinated response during any emergency in Ondo State.
While welcoming all the participants of the workshop, the Executive Secretary of Ondo SEMA, *Mr Fredrick Orunko* stated that the meeting is very crucial because it would help to learn from past experiences so as to make possible adjustments for better results. The Director General, NEMA *Mrs Zubaida Umar* who was ably represented by the Acting Zonal Director, South West Zone *Mr Stephen Adewale* highlighted that recent unpredictable weatherconditions associated with climate change in the country andindeed throughout the world, have caused adverse ecologicaldislocations across the nation. This emergency challenge calls forconcerned efforts on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and enhancedcollaboration between EmergencyResponse providers atCommunity, Local, State and Federal Levels towards efficient andeffective disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation andresponse. It has therefore become necessary for all of us toalways promote and carry out activities that will safeguard ourenvironments by ensuring that all drainage are been cleared up and rapid enlightenment of the general public on the need to desistfrom dumping refuse in the waterways.
The Deputy Governor of Ondo State who was ably represented by the permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor *Mr Idowu Ojo* while declaring the workshop open said that the State will embark on massive Advocacy visits and Sensitization across the State and most especially the local governments predicted by NIMet and NIHSA through the SRP and AFO to experience flooding in Ondo State.Various stakeholders shared their various activities targeted at preventing as well as mitigate the effect of flooding in the State.
