The Ekiti State Government has announced plans to set up Local Government Emergency Management Agencies (LGEMAs) across the 16 council areas to tackle the rising cases of rainstorms, floods, and fire disasters in the state.
Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday during a sensitisation programme on disaster prevention and management, organised by the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA).
The programme, attended by traditional rulers, market leaders, religious organisations, security agencies, civil servants, and media professionals, focused on prevention strategies for rainstorms, fire outbreaks, and flooding.
Mrs Afuye noted that the state had recorded several incidents of natural disasters in recent years, with government offering support to cushion the effects on victims. She emphasised the need for citizens to embrace preparedness, mitigation, and resilience as part of disaster management culture.
She expressed delight that Ekiti was not listed among states projected by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) to experience severe flooding in 2025, attributing the development to proactive measures put in place by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
“Although Ekiti was not mentioned, Governor Oyebanji approved this programme as a preventive step against possible flooding in the state. Government cannot fully compensate victims for losses, hence the need for caution and preparedness,” she said.
The Deputy Governor assured that the local government agencies would soon be launched to strengthen grassroots response to emergencies.
In her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, described disaster prevention as a core aspect of governance. She warned against indiscriminate disposal of non-biodegradable waste, noting that such practices pollute the environment, block waterways, and endanger public health.
Also speaking, the General Manager of EKSEMA, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, urged residents to brace up for NiMET’s prediction of flash floods in parts of the country on August 4, 2025. He commended Governor Oyebanji for ongoing channelisation projects in flood-prone areas of Ado Ekiti, including Omisanjana, Ureje, Alasia, Federal Polytechnic Road, and Onala.
He further advised residents to complement government’s efforts by adhering to safety measures such as installing smoke alarms, planning fire escape routes, and using electricity responsibly.
Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, lauded the sensitisation initiative, describing it as timely given the looming flood risks in neighbouring states. He urged citizens to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into canals and waterways, and called for sanctions against offenders.