Benue Introduces Technology To Enhance Emergency Services

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has adopted new digital approach for enhancing security management aimed at guaranteeing a very excellent emergency response to crisis situations. 

The Governor who unveiled the platform to journalists within the premises of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stated that the digital technology named "Benue State Electronic Emergency Management System (BEEMS) focuses squarely on the unrelenting security challenges by criminal groups and individuals who what to frustrate development of the state and halt wellbeing of the people!

Represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mrs. Deborah Aber (Esq), Alia acknowledged importance of BEEMS for effective guarantee of safety to life and property and that as it becomes one of the most modern technologies in the cyberspace. 

The Governor assured of his administration's commitment to leveraging on the latest initiative that makes life safer and better in line with the development agenda of the government. According to the Governor, resolve to prioritize the wellbeing of people and improve performance of the government overrides other interests. Consequently, he charged the operators of the platform to show commitment to the duty by safeguarding the platform to enable serve as the safe heaven for the people in distress!

He said, BEEMS was a product of necessity and its presence would complement efforts of government towards fostering a stronger cooperation among the stakeholders. Governor Alia welcomed BEEMS under his government and noted that Benue has become the first state in Nigeria to establish the "sub - national emergency response management platform. He praised the SEMA authorities and other agencies for their resilience to succeed on the task of developing the technology with the strength potentials to meet challenging needs of security for the state.

House Committee Chairman on ICT, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Kennedy Angbo celebrated the birth of the technology that its usefulness would wipe off tears on the faces of Benue people.

The state legislator remarked that the digital technology has come to relieve the burden on the shoulders of communities under threats of attack in the state He said "it will be easy to blow the whistle as e-policing with other modern security measures would be introduced soon" to address the concerns about security.

The lawmaker continued "we must learn to retain data and institutional memory." Angbo welcomed establishment of the technological and said "over the years, whenever we engaged consultants in the ICT sector, they went with the valuable data as the contracts ended."

The Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) Sir James Iorpuu (PhD) who is also Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management thanked the Governor for ensuring that the desire for establishing the platform became realizable. He said, the development made Benue to become pacesetter in the digital emergency response realm.

He added that BEEMS would ensure transparency and encourage accelerated speed for coordination of crisis situations to reduce insecurity.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) Mr. Terwase Gbabde described the system as "real time communication" platform to provide unhindered access to the world. He added that the digital product would improve the timelines for intervention!