Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, on Monday, inaugurated the state’s electronic emergency management system for effective handling of humanitarian crises.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi, Alia said the e-emergency platforms, known as, Benue E-emergency Platforms, will significantly enhance the protection of lives and property in the state.
Alia was represented at the launch by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Deborah Aber.
“The state has faced unprecedented security challenges over a decade. My administration is committed to tackling the menace with the aid of digital solutions,” the governor said.
He urged stakeholders to fully embrace the platform as a strategic tool for improving emergency response and governance in the state.
Alia further urged the public to use the platforms positively and warned against posting or sending irrelevant things on the platforms.
In his address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Dr James Iorapuu, said Benue was the first state to pioneer digital emergency response in Nigeria.
Iorapuu said the digital framework would transform how emergencies were reported, analysed, and responded to.
“Today henceforth, Benue State Emergency Agency (BSEMA) becomes the first sub-national emergency management agency in Nigeria to fully deploy end-to-end e-emergency management systems.
“Through our official website https://sema.benuestate.gov.ng/, and our integrated social media channels, citizens can now report emergency situations from any disaster,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company, Mr Terwase Gbande, commended SEMA for adopting the digital initiative.
Gbande explained that the system allowed the agency to be reached from any location globally, thereby minimising misinformation and enhancing real-time response.
