Education
Delta urges residents to prioritise disaster preparedness – EnviroNews
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The Delta State Government has urged residents to minimise disaster risks, heed to early warnings and adopt preventive measures to protect lives and property.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Ejiro Etacherure, made the call on Wednesday during a road walk to commemorate the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The event was organised by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Delta chapter.
It had the theme, “Resilience Starts at Home.”
Etacherure said the state government, under Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, had continued to prioritise disaster prevention through early warning systems and preparedness initiatives.
He said proactive measures were necessary to prevent avoidable disasters and minimise the loss of lives and property.
The commissioner said that Delta, as a coastal state, faced hazards including flooding, erosion, rainstorms and other emergencies, making effective disaster management essential.
He said the commemoration reinforced the need to raise public awareness, minimise disaster risks and equip residents to respond effectively to emergencies.
Also speaking, the Director of SEMA, Mr. Alfred Ebreneyin, said the United Nations General Assembly initiated the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 1989 to promote global awareness of disaster risks.
He said the commemoration encouraged actions that could reduce the impact of disasters on lives, livelihoods, property and the environment.
Ebreneyin urged residents to regard risk management as both a personal and social responsibility by responding promptly to early warnings and taking necessary precautions.
He emphasised the theme, saying, “resilience starts at home, prepare today, stay safe tomorrow.”
The State Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr Charles Arinomor, described disaster risk reduction as a shared responsibility.
Represented by the Disaster Management Officer, Mr. Felix Orhe, Arinomor, said sustained public education, early action and effective collaboration among stakeholders were essential to reducing disaster risks.
Arinomor emphasised the importance of first-aid training, saying that basic emergency response skills could save lives during unexpected incidents.
He urged residents to acquire first-aid knowledge, as anyone could encounter situations requiring them to assist an injured person or someone affected by a disaster.
The event highlighted the need for households and communities to make disaster preparedness a priority, with stakeholders calling for stronger public awareness and collective action to build a safer and more resilient Delta.
By Mercy Neme
