The Imo State government has inaugurated 135 Local Government Emergency Management Committee (LGEMC) responders to strengthen flood and disaster response across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for Abia and Imo States, Mr. Nnamdi Igwe, explained that the initiative will ensure quicker interventions during emergencies, particularly in flood-prone areas.
The responders—five from each council area—were inaugurated on Thursday in Owerri after a two-day intensive training program. They were equipped with emergency kits, including fire blankets, extinguishers, reflective jackets, and first-aid boxes, to boost their readiness.
According to Igwe, the LGEMCs will replicate NEMA’s interventions at the grassroots level, ensuring that emergencies in remote communities are handled promptly before federal and state agencies arrive. He also revealed that similar committees will be established across all 36 states to improve nationwide disaster management.
“The LGEMCs have been trained to provide immediate emergency services, giving NEMA and SEMA time to arrive for expert intervention. My only appeal is for them to take this assignment seriously,” Igwe said.
He further appealed to residents of Imo State to promptly report emergencies, stressing that timely information will help prevent loss of lives and irreversible injuries.
