ODPEM's earthquake response called into question

By Kimone Witter    

 

The Parliamentary Opposition says there is need for an immediate examination of what it terms the obvious failure of the country's disaster response mechanisms, led by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) following Monday's earthquake.

 

Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government Natalie Neita Garvey says the country did not receive communication from ODPEM on the earthquake until late Monday.

 

Mrs Neita Garvey says up to six hours after the tremor, there was no sign of activity from ODPEM, and there was no evidence of any coordination of first responders to provide efficient responses. 

 

"Because of the failure to coordinate the agencies and present accurate preliminary reports, and updated reports and guidelines and instructions, it really seemed like a public spectacle when the Prime Minister informed the country that the damage was minor, while the media was reporting that there was infrastructure, housing damage, school closures, business closures," she reasoned. 

 

The opposition spokesperson called for Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie to "ensure that the response mechanism for the country is thoroughly reviewed, and that steps be taken to correct and to strengthen any area of weakness that may prevent ODPEM from fulfilling its mandate".