‘Conflicting actions, bane of effective disaster management’

STAKEHOLDERS involved in disaster risk and management have decried conflict of actions before, during and after disasters, calling for effective collaboration among them.

This imperative was emphasised by the stakeholders at an advocacy workshop of the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), held in Ibadan on the need to implement the Sendai framework on disaster risk reduction (SFDRR).

The list of risk management agencies which advanced position were the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Oyo State Fire Service, National Orientation Agency (NOA).

In their various presentations, representatives of the various agencies decried the lack of awareness and non-suitability of the disaster risk reduction policies resulting in the tardiness in domesticating the Sendai framework (2015-2030) in the country.

Speaking, Dr Tola Winjobi, of the Regional Advisory Group for Development, emphasised the need for government to be proactive in disaster reduction through established early warning mechanism, and ensure that materials on disaster risk reduction are produced in local dialects.

Winjobi also prayed that government allot appropriate budgetary allocation to disaster risk reduction as well as implement related policies.

Regional Development Coordinator, GNDR, Mr Adessou Kossivi, noted that the poor implementation of different policies in relation to disaster risk reduction may not be unconnected with paucity of funds by governments of the country.

He therefore called for synergy among all stakeholders for effective implementation of disaster risk reduction policies, as well as a pro-active advocacy by CSOs in engaging government agencies and communities in disaster risk reduction.

He lamented that the poor implementation of disaster reduction policies was due to the gap between stakeholders meant to implement the framework and local realities.

Micheal Osilaja of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) hinted that the commission focused on being prepared for disaster through enlightenment programmes that ensure that no death is record whenever auto crash occurs.

In the same vein, Ehahi Aikpopo of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) mentioned that the agency was committed to the implementation of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction through needed grassroot mobilisation and sensitisation programmes.

Others who attended the workshop were Dr Duro Ogunsesan of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Christianah Ifesanya of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.