Katsina Government Establishes Local Emergency Management Committees in 34 LGAs

Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times | February 25, 2025

The Katsina State Government has inaugurated Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across all 34 local government areas to enhance disaster preparedness and response at the grassroots level.

Deputy Governor Malam Faruq Lawal Jobe, HCIB, who represented Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda at the inauguration ceremony held at the State Secretariat, stated that the initiative aligns with the directives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to strengthen local disaster management structures.

"These committees will work closely with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to educate communities on potential hazards and implement preventive measures," Jobe said.

He urged committee members to take their responsibilities seriously in safeguarding their communities against disasters such as fire outbreaks and floods. He also called on local governments and the state government to provide the necessary support to ensure the committees operate effectively.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Binta Husaini Dangani, emphasized that establishing the LEMCs was crucial in mitigating disasters at the local level.

"Disaster prevention and response are vital in protecting lives and property. It is our duty to ensure that adequate measures are in place to minimize risks and improve community resilience," she said.

Hajiya Binta highlighted SEMA's achievements in the past two years, revealing that in 2023 alone, fire incidents affected 42 households, with 39 victims receiving N40 million in assistance. In 2024, 99 fire outbreaks were reported, with an estimated N62 million allocated for relief efforts.

Furthermore, between 2023 and 2024, floods impacted 6,284 people, with 2,024 beneficiaries receiving construction materials in 2023. In 2024, 1,064 victims received financial assistance, ranging from N300,000 to N600,000, while 3,196 others were provided with building materials.

With the support of the Katsina State Government, SEMA also distributed food and non-food relief items to vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, orphans, widows, and persons with disabilities, benefiting a total of 64,604 individuals.

Some of these relief materials, she noted, were sourced from humanitarian organizations such as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the Bank of Industry, NEMA, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.

She expressed gratitude to Governor Radda for his continued support of SEMA and called for sustained funding to ensure the success of local emergency management initiatives.

Hajiya Binta also commended Deputy Governor Jobe, NEMA, and other humanitarian organizations for their contributions, as well as traditional rulers for their unwavering support in disaster management efforts.

The event was attended by security agencies, fire service officials, traditional rulers, humanitarian organizations, government representatives, and other key stakeholders.