The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Owerri Operations Office, participated in the official inauguration of the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) held in Owerri.
On Thursday, September 19, 2025, the Imo State Government formally inaugurated 135 members of the LEMCs, comprising five representatives from each of the 27 Local Government Areas. This initiative aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms across the state.
The two-day event was declared open by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, who represented His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma. In his address, Chief Iwu reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to proactive disaster management. He emphasized that while emergency structures already exist at the state level, replicating them at the local government level is crucial, as that is where disasters often originate. He noted, “We must not wait for disasters to strike before taking action. These committees will monitor environmental indicators and implement preventive measures.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the South-East Zonal Director, Mr. Walson Brandon Ibarakuma, commended the Imo State Government for being the first in both the South-East and South-South regions to establish LEMCs. He highlighted that the NEMA Establishment Act mandates the creation of such committees nationwide and urged stakeholders to utilize them effectively to mitigate local disasters. “Globally, community members are the first responders during emergencies before external support arrives,” he added.
The event feature the distribution of emergency response equipment to all 27 LEMCs by the Imo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
20/09/2025
