The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA) has presented a detailed account of its ongoing interventions and achievements under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing its work as integral to the government’s ‘people-first’ approach to governance.
The update was delivered during a Stakeholders’ Sensitization Workshop held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City.
The event, hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Information and Communication, drew participation from government ministries, departments and agencies, student unions, faith-based organisations, market associations and non-governmental groups.
In his presentation, Hon. Jerry Idahosa, Executive Secretary of EdoSEMA, outlined the agency’s strategic response to major disasters across the state and its role in strengthening community resilience.
He cited the collapse of the Ekeke-Erah Dam in Owan East Local Government Area as one of the most significant crises of the year, which led to the destruction of farmlands, marketplaces and vital infrastructure.
EdoSEMA’s immediate response involved the distribution of emergency relief materials such as food items, insecticide-treated mosquito nets and hygiene kits to affected families.
Plans are underway to expand interventions in the area to include water purification initiatives, community health outreach and long-term risk mitigation through the installation of water management infrastructure.
The agency also provided financial compensation to 14 traders whose shops and goods were destroyed in the fire outbreak that swept through Jattu Market in Etsako West LGA earlier in the year.
In another instance of community conflict, EdoSEMA was on hand to support victims of a violent clash between residents of Madoti and Gbelebu communities in Ovia South-West.
Relief efforts included the distribution of foodstuffs, monetary aid for rebuilding homes and mediation support to restore peace between the warring communities.
Beyond disaster response, EdoSEMA is implementing a proactive strategy across the state’s local government areas.
So far, 15 out of Edo’s 18 Local Government Areas have been visited by assessment teams tasked with identifying high-risk zones and recommending preventive actions tailored to each locality’s unique environmental and socio-economic challenges.
These efforts fall under the broader Project SHINE agenda championed by Governor Okpebholo, which prioritises inclusive development, grassroots engagement and civic accountability.
To bolster emergency preparedness, the agency has intensified its public education efforts and launched a toll-free emergency hotline, 739, to allow residents report crises in real time.
Public awareness drives are currently ongoing in schools, markets and motor parks to sensitise citizens about safety procedures, early warning signs and evacuation protocols. In markets, EdoSEMA is working closely with trade unions and local councils to enforce fire safety guidelines and establish designated emergency response teams within each commercial hub.
In communities vulnerable to flooding such as Ekeke-Erah, the government is investing in flood defence infrastructure and scaling up access to primary healthcare services. Traditional rulers, ward leaders and civil society actors are also being engaged to promote local ownership of resilience measures.
A recent initiative in Illushi, Esan South-East LGA, involved a week-long flood preparedness campaign featuring simulated evacuation drills, water testing and community feedback sessions.
Despite facing funding constraints and persistent public scepticism about disaster warnings, EdoSEMA remains focused on innovation, partnerships and capacity development.
The agency plans to introduce data-driven planning systems, scale up emergency personnel training, and collaborate with private sector actors to secure additional technical and financial support.
According to Hon. Idahosa, the Governor’s unwavering commitment to human-centred development and responsive governance has enabled EdoSEMA to transition from a reactive agency to a strategic driver of resilience and sustainability.
He reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to continue bridging the gap between state institutions and vulnerable communities, and to establish Edo State as a national benchmark for effective emergency management.
