Benue govt launches electronic emergency surveillance to secure communities, IDP camps

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Benue State Government has launched the Benue Electronic Emergency Management System (Benue E-Emergency Platforms) to build safer, smarter and more resilient Benue communities.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu who spoke yesterday during the launch of the state electronic emergency management system said the e-emergency platform is a revolutionary digital framework that transforms how emergencies are reported, analysed and responded to in the state.

He disclosed that the government has introduced drone surveillance services to monitor situations in communities across the state.

According to him, the drone surveillance would also help to monitor activities within all the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps across the state.

He said: “The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) with technical expertise of Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC, has now introduced drone surveillance services in capturing real time emergency response images and videos across affected communities, including activities within all the IDP camps.

“These drone-enabled situational reports shall, henceforth, be available to the public on all our digital platforms, ensuring transparency, accountability and faster mobilisation of aid and partnerships.

The SEMA boss called on the people of state and the diaspora communities, humanitarian partners and patriotic stakeholders to adopt and use the digital channels.

He advised them to ignore any unofficial or politically-motivated links, which he said could only heighten tension in the state.

“This platform is built for you, powered by you and with your support, we shall overcome emergency challenges in our dear state.”

He added that with the introduction of drone surveillance, the state could now guarantee a smarter, faster, more transparent and collaborative emergency response mechanism that showcases the digital Benue spirit to the world.

“As we commission the Benue E-Emergency Platforms today, we proudly position Benue as the undisputed pioneer in digital emergency management in Nigeria,” he said.

He applauded the strategic partners, the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC), for championing the digital infrastructure revolution through which government entities, such as BSEMA are transitioning into a new era of open, swift and technology-enabled emergency management agency.

He said: “From today, 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 and our integrated social media channels, citizens can now report emergency situations ranging from floods and erosion disasters to fire outbreaks and victims support, market disasters, communal clashes, disease outbreaks, herdsmen attacks and violent displacement, road traffic crashes, IDP camp needs and critical incidents.