Onuimo, Ihitte Uboma Council Chairmen, Others Laud Governor Uzodimma Over Inauguration of LGA Emergency Committees
By Anselem Anokwute, Owerri
The Imo State Government, through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has formally inaugurated Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across all 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
The significant event, which also featured a two-day training workshop, took place on Thursday, September 18, and Friday, September 19, 2025, at Rockview Hotel, Owerri, beginning at 10:00 a.m. daily.
Themed “Flood Warning Preparedness and Disaster Management for Local Emergency Management Committees and Other Critical Stakeholders in the State,” the workshop aimed to equip committee members and key stakeholders with practical knowledge and strategies for effective disaster response, particularly ahead of the peak rainy season.
Participants were drawn from all 27 LGAs, including emergency officers, environmental health experts, and community representatives, who actively engaged in the sessions.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to proactive disaster management and community safety.
In his address, Chief Iwu cautioned against the illegal construction of structures on waterways and green areas—particularly in the Owerri metropolitan area—stressing that such activities increase flood risks and threaten lives and property.
According to SEMA, the establishment of LEMCs and the capacity-building workshop mark a critical step toward enhancing the state’s emergency preparedness, strengthening early warning systems, and improving coordinated responses to disasters.
Highlights of the event included the formal presentation of first aid kits to all inaugurated LEMC members, live demonstrations on how to extinguish fire outbreaks during emergencies, and a photo session to commemorate the inauguration.
Speaking after the event, the Executive Chairman of Onuimo, LGA, Dr. Emeka Paul Obi, commended Governor Uzodimma for initiating what he described as a “people-centered and forward-thinking initiative.”
Dr. Obi said: “With the official inauguration of the LEMC by Governor Hope Uzodimma, the state has taken a bold step toward curbing erosion and environmental disasters, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.”
Similarly, the Chairman of Ihitte Uboma LGA, Prince Chikwe Ndukwe along with other council executives, praised the Governor for prioritizing grassroots involvement in emergency management, noting that such localized structures would help mitigate the impact of floods and other natural disasters.
The inauguration and training were widely applauded as timely and impactful, reinforcing the Uzodimma administration’s resolve to safeguard the lives and property of Imo citizens through proactive governance.