By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Zamfara State Government has inaugurated a 50-member Disaster Management Platform (DMP) for the implementation of a USAID-funded pilot programme, “Enhancing Coordination System for Disaster Response in Nigeria (ECODiN)”.
The ECODiN is a USAID-funded programme on disaster management implemented in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, with two LGAs from each of the states.
The state’s Head of Service, Ahmad Liman, who performed the inauguration in Gusau described the platform as a welcome development to the state.
Liman, represented by the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Bashir Mailafiya, said two LGAs of Bungudu and Gusau were selected for the implementation of the pilot programme.
He said the platform has Mr Iliyasu Labaran from the Ministry of Water Resources as Chairman while Mr Hassan Dauran, from the Disaster Management and Control, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) would serve as Secretary.
According to the head of service, other members of the platform are traditional rulers, representatives of the security agencies, media, relevant MDAs, CSOs and FBOs, among others.
He said that the platform was expected to coordinate disaster management system in the state aimed at increasing awareness of the general public.
“I am very happy to inaugurate this platform today, I appreciate USAID and other supporting NGOs for selecting Zamfara to be part of the states to benefit under this programme.
“I am assuring the state government’s commitment to ensure great success of this programme,” Liman explained.
He charged the members of the platform to live up to expectations.
“We should use this golden opportunity to work towards effective disaster reduction and management in our dear state,” Liman added.
Speaking earlier, Dr Yakubu Lawali, the State Programme Manager, Life Helpers, an NGO, said the programme waa aimed at increasing awareness of the stakeholders on disaster management.
“This will help our communities to have better planning and responses of disaster management,” Lawali added.
In their separate remarks, traditional rulers, SEMA officials and representatives from MDAs, NGOs and CSOs promised to work for the success of the program in the state.
