The Governor of Lagos State, Babjide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 pinpointed the importance of employing technology to disaster relief and risk management in the state.
The Governor stated this during the Disaster Relief and Risk Management Summit organized by Rotary International, District 9110 which brought together the Rotary district leaders and Rotarians from the various Rotary clubs in the district. Also present at the summit was the chief host, the District Governor, Dr. Jide Akeredolu.
“Technological innovation is bringing digital solutions to sectors that have previously lacked access to technology. The rapid pace of this change suggests that technology’s most meaningful benefit for society lies in the humanitarian sector with innovations such as aerial robotics, drones, etc.", Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu described the theme of the summit- “The Impact of Modern Day Technology on Disaster Relief and Risk Reduction Management” as “very timely” as it speaks to the need for the country to devote more attention and commitment to managing disaster and crises, especially in this contemporary period.
Lagos state, having just experienced a major and devastating disaster that occurred at Abule Ado in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, March 15, the Governor commended the Rotary district for coming up with this initiative to help ensure that disaster situations are properly managed and risks are reduced.
According to the Governor’s speech which was delivered by Lanre Mojola, the DG, Safety Commission, “It has become evident that in this modern day, we cannot effectively manage disasters without the deployment of sophisticated and modern equipment and technology.”
With the advancement in technology, the various innovations being experienced globally, the increased globalization of the world and also the outbreak of series of new diseases affecting the world today, Sanwo-Olu noted that it has become evident that to effectively and proactively address disasters and risks, we need to embrace modern technology that will help us to be fully efficient in keeping lives and properties safe.
“Technological innovation is bringing digital solutions to sectors that have previously lacked access to technology. The rapid pace of this change suggests that technology’s most meaningful benefit for society lies in the humanitarian sector with innovations such as aerial robotics, drones, etc. Technology is making it possible to go where people cannot thereby; putting even the lives of responders at minimal risk”, he said.
The Governor explained that the Lagos state government is not unaware of the importance of employing modern technology to disaster relief and risk management. “We have increased the fleet of our modern rescue and emergency equipment of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in order to aid quick emergency interventions and to make Lagos safe and responsive to emergency issues comparable to other cities in the developed world”, he said.
“These modern equipment have helped in enhancing our response rate and also minimize the effects of disaster”, he further said, adding that the state government will continue to intensify efforts at ensuring that disasters are effectively managed and risks are mitigated so as to keep the lives and properties of Lagosians safe at all times.