By Martins Fasusi, Okitipupa
Chairmen of Littoral Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ondo State have reached an understanding with a Norwegian organization, IFRP, to establish four Littoral Disasters Response Centers in their respective areas.
This was done in a swift response to the unprecedented flood disasters that have sacked several communities including some Local Government Secretariats.
In his remarks, Chairman Okitipupa Local Government, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, who doubles as the host Chairman, said the development of the zone is of paramount importance which can only be achieved through proper synergy with all the relevant stakeholders.
He said that deliberate efforts must be put in place to mitigate the effects of natural disasters which according to him is hampering developmental progress of the area.
Abayomi said to overcome some of these challenges, he decided to create a department of Natural Disaster Management and Emergency Control in the local government for prompt response.
Other Local Government Chairmen, Hon. Otito Atikase, Chairman Ilaje Council, Hon Ojo Omolewa, Ese-Odo Council and Hon. Nicholas Emmanuel, Irele Local Government Council lend their voices in support of the Littoral Disaster Response Centres in the overall interest of the people.
At the end of the meeting, a Communique was jointly issued by the Chairmen and Representative of the Norwegian organization, IFRP, Mr Olusegun Mogbojuri.
The presentation was themed “The Proposed Disasters Response Centers (LDRC) For Ondo State Littoral Communities: Building Resilience through Norwegian – Nigerian Economic Cooperation”,.
Mogbojuri in his remarks made an eye opening proposal on a response plan that borders on establishment of Littoral Disasters Response Centres (LDRC) capable of timely and well coordinated response to any form of disasters; human or natural in the LGAs.
He added that under the LDRC plan, at least four acres of land in each of the LGAs will be developed to house various disasters response facilities and programmes.
It was agreed that relief funds from private and public sources would be received into a designated Council account while other LDRC projects are to include flood control, reclamation, Newtown/smart cities development and business startups will form core of the long term plan of the Centre.
The Council Chairmen thereafter adopted a resolution to partner the Norwegian organization, IFRP in the delivery of the LDRC to the affected Local Government Areas.
The meeting was scheduled to reconvene after the Stockholm and Oslo summit.
