By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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Ondo State House of Assembly has charged the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA to harness inter- relationship with other sister agencies to reduce the impact of disasters.

The House Committee on SDGs, Intergovernmental Affairs and Multilateral Relations led by its Chairman, Tiamiyu Fatai Atere who gave the charge during a visit to the Agency, advised management on periodic report to the relevant Ministries and Agencies to alert them in order to ensure preparedness.

The committee admitted that some disasters are man-induced while some are natural, saying that if  the law of the Agency needs to be reviewed to ameliorate victim’s challenges and be more effective, the house will not hesitate.

The Lawmakers commended the Agency for demonstrating commitment, advising them to intensify efforts especially in terms of advocacy to reduce disaster to the barest minimum in the State.

The committee members while assuring of legislative support,called for symbiotic relationship towards achieving the same goal.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Agency,Mr Ojo Idowu informed that the Agency  is  under the office of the Deputy Governor, stating that its mandate is to manage  disasters through coordination of resources, effective disaster prevention, among others .

He noted that the Agency has been providing humanitarian assistance to communities affected by rainstorm, flood, fire disasters among others

According to him, what they frequently experience is flooding which is mostly due to indiscriminate disposal  of waste in water ways.

He enjoined the Lawmakers to join in the advocacy in their constituencies to save lives and properties.

The Secretary however sought for the assistance of the committee in terms of funding to be more functional.