Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to enhance disaster management and response mechanisms across the state.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, speaking through his deputy, Olayide Adelami, in Akure on Thursday during a meeting with officials of NEMA’s Southwest Zonal Directorate, emphasised his administration’s dedication to mitigating disasters through advocacy and capacity building.

He urged NEMA to sustain its support for the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA) in ensuring the full realisation of its mandates.

“You have been collaborating with the state government for a long time, and I encourage you to continue in that regard to further strengthen the agency responsible for emergency management in the state,” Aiyedatiwa stated.

The governor highlighted the integration of Local Emergency Management Committees at the council level into the state’s emergency framework to enhance coordination and grassroots mobilisation.

“We have already inaugurated the Local Emergency Management Committees. The next step is to provide them with adequate training to ensure efficiency, as they will be the closest to the grassroots,” he added.

In his remarks, the Southwest Zonal Director of NEMA, Saheed Akiode, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his administration’s support in tackling disaster incidents across the state.

Akiode disclosed that NEMA had introduced a structural adjustment in reporting disaster-related issues, allowing the Zonal Directorates to take initial action before involving the national headquarters.

He explained that the new framework would involve the zonal directorate, state coordinating offices of NEMA, SEMA, and other key stakeholders working collaboratively to minimise the impact of disasters in Ondo State.