August 04, (THEWILL) — Governor Hyacinth Alia has expressed confidence that the newly launched Benue Electronic Emergency Management System (BEEMS) will significantly enhance the protection of lives and property across the state.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony held at the headquarters of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Makurdi on Monday, the governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Deaconess Deborah Aber, said the state has faced persistent insecurity in recent years.
He assured that his administration is committed to tackling the menace with the aid of digital solutions.
Alia reaffirmed that the implementation of his administration’s seven-point agenda remains on course, particularly in the area of safeguarding the lives and well-being of residents.
He urged stakeholders to fully embrace the platform as a strategic tool for improving emergency response and governance in the state.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Benue State House of Assembly Committee on ICT, Mr. Kenneth Angbo, emphasized the importance of data retention and institutional memory.
He noted that previous engagements with ICT consultants often ended with the loss of valuable records, underscoring the need for homegrown solutions.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), Mr. Terwase Gbande, commended SEMA for adopting the digital initiative.
He explained that the system allows the agency to be reached from any location globally, thereby minimizing misinformation and enhancing real-time response.
On her part, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs. Ashi Wende, pledged the board’s collaboration with the platform to maximize its benefits for residents.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Dr. James Iorapuu, described the BEEMS platform as a milestone that positions Benue as a pioneer in digital emergency response in Nigeria.
“We can now guarantee a smarter, faster, more transparent, and collaborative emergency response mechanism that showcases the digital Benue spirit to the world,” Iorapuu stated.
