October 27, (THEWILL) – The Benue State House of Assembly Committee on Rules and Business has advocated for more support to strengthen the capacity and operations of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) to manage the increasing spate of disasters in the State.
Majority Leader and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Saater Tiseer, who led Committee Members on oversight function to BSEMA headquarters in Makurdi, said the increasing incidents and complexity of disasters necessitate efficient response that could only be achieved with proper investment in disaster management.
He made this known while answering questions from Journalists on the aim of the visit, explaining that their visit to the Agency was part of the Committee’s oversight and familiarisation tour to appraise the performances and challenges facing the Agency.
He explained that the Agency, which was created to operate directly under the Governor’s Office, is funded by both government and private bodies to manage and mitigate emergency issues, reiterating the Committee’s readiness to support BSEMA to be fast in early preparedness in handling such occurrences.
The Ushongo House of Assembly Member commended the Acting Secretary of BSEMA, Sir. James Iorpuu, for his bold steps in addressing some issues facing the Agency within the few months he assumed office, including the ongoing Biometric Data Capturing to obtain verifiable data of Persons of Concern for proper planning, resettlement of IDPs, as well as setting the Local Emergency Management Agencies (LEMAs) to further improve disaster management in the State.
The Ag. Executive Secretary, Sir. James Iorpuu, in his brief reaction, appreciated the Committee for the oversight visit, pointing out that the Agency has continued to receive tremendous support and attention from the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in the delivery of its mandates.
The statement signed by the Information Officer of BSEMA, Miss Charity Agber, quotes Sir Iorpuu as saying that the Agency is fully back to serve the State under Alia’s administration.
The statement added that the Agency has been strategically strengthened by setting up Local Emergency Management Agencies (LEMAs) to rapidly handle humanitarian situations at that level.
The Acting Executive Secretary, while describing their visit as timely, noted that BSEMA, like other Agencies of government, cannot function well without a robust relationship with lawmakers.
The Benue State House of Assembly Committee on Rules and Business has oversight functions over the Government House, Deputy Governor’s Office, SSG, and BSEMA among other Agencies.
