On Friday, August 22, 2025, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), provided crucial clarifications about the roles of state and local government authorities in disaster response during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.
Mr. Ebhodaghe emphasized that disaster response should primarily begin at the local government level, where Local Government Emergency Management Committees (LGEMCs) act as the first responders to disasters. These local entities are responsible for immediate action within their jurisdictions. The efforts at the local government level receive support from State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA), which coordinate broader state-level disaster management activities. NEMA's role, according to Ebhodaghe, is to step in to provide assistance only when the state governments and their agencies are overwhelmed or unable to manage the disaster effectively on their own.
He stated, "Disaster response is a tiered system where local governments are on the frontlines, supported by the state agencies, with NEMA intervening when the disaster exceeds the capacity of the state."
In detailing operational frameworks, Mr. Ebhodaghe highlighted the imperative of strong coordination and proactive engagement among the various levels of government. He underlined that states must be proactive in disaster risk management and response, working closely with local governments to ensure preparedness and effectiveness. NEMA's coordination role includes mobilizing federal assistance and coordinating with other emergency agencies such as the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), fire services, and ambulance services.
He further added that preparedness involves conducting sensitization campaigns, early warning dissemination, and strengthening community-level disaster readiness, especially in flood-prone areas. For example, in the South-South zone, NEMA has engaged extensively with community leaders, youth groups, and state governments to promote flood preparedness and manage potential internally displaced persons (IDP) camps strategically located within vulnerable local government areas.
Mr. Ebhodaghe's remarks come at a time when proactive disaster management has become an urgent priority in Nigeria. The coordinated efforts across the three tiers of government are integral to minimizing the human and material impact of disasters. This structured approach allows LGEMCs and SEMAs to act swiftly with local knowledge and resources while relying on NEMA for specialized federal support when necessary.
This clarification is vital as Nigeria continues to face increasing climate and environmental challenges, requiring well-organized disaster response frameworks rooted in collaboration across all levels of government.
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