Sequel to the spate of disasters ranging from flood to collapse of structures leading to loss of lives and property experienced across the country in recent times, the federal government has embarked on efforts to empower all states and local governments on disaster management.

The plan is geared towards risk management and improving the capacity of the various tiers of government to response to incidences of deserster whenever they occur.

Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Vice Marshal (rtd) Muhammed Audu Bida made this disclosure yesterday while flagging-off an enlightenment campaign on flood disaster prevention and management at the Rockview Hotel in Abuja .

The D-G who was represented at the event by the Director, Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Charles Agbo , said since the country is affected annually by both natural and human induced disasters, with its consequent negative impact on the nationís economy as well as the people, there is need more proactive measures to improve the country's capacity to manage such incident.

He spoke of the need for an increase in awareness on various strategies for disaster management and control among the states and local governments agencies responsible for such issues, adding that the State and Local Government will be structured to operate in the format for prompt and efficient response to disaster occurence in the country.

"Because disasters happen at the grassroots, the Agency has been working with the states and Local Governments to take disaster management through risk reduction to communities. This is to arm the communities usually affected by disasters with the capacity to prevent, mitigate and respond to hazards and thereby increasing their resilience," he said

Agbo further said that the global warning manifesting in the rising sea level is threatening over 360 million people in the coastal areas world over, adding that with this and other related catastrophes, something must be done to make our environment safer for sustainable development.