…pledges support for victims
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has charged landlords to properly maintain their buildings as the raining season approaches in order to avert the devastating effects of rainstorms and other natural disasters prevalent during the raining season.
Oyebanji said regular maintenance of old buildings, remains the best option to avert damage caused by rainstorms as experienced in
Ipoti, Ejiyan, Owatedo and Odo Owa Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government area where rainstorm wreaked havoc on over 50 buildings Wednesday evening.
Oyebanji gave the charge in the affected communities, on Thursday during an on-the-spot assessment of the buildings affected during Wednesday’s downpour in the communities.
Buildings affected during the unfortunate incident include residential buildings, shops, and educational institutions.
The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, sympathized with the victims and promised to initiate processes that will lend a helping hand for them to repair their damaged buildings in record time.
He bemoaned the consistent rainstorm being witnessed in Ekiti and how many people were being rendered homeless on account of this depressive occurrence.
The governor challenged the landlords to always take precautions by repairing damaged roofs and change weak planks that can predispose their residences to unwarranted wreckage.
As part of the ways to halt and mitigate such occurrence, Oyebanji encouraged tree planting around residential areas to serve as wind breakers during heavy rainfall and storms urging the traditional institution to propagate such practice among the people at the grassroots.
“I am really saddened seeing people being rendered homeless as a result of rainstorm. Moving round the town, you could see that the disaster was too much. We are promising you on behalf of the government that the officers of the State Emergency Management Agency will visit here and do the enumeration of the buildings and value the damage. We are going to help you, God shall heal your wounds.
“When something like this happened at Oke Ako-Ekiti, the governor approved about N50m to rebuild the damaged buildings, likewise other towns like Ijesa Isu, Omu and Ijelu communities.
“Though we thank God that there is no loss of lives, that is our joy in this matter. The ruins are much, but we need rains to make our lives and farming flourish. But we have to do what is necessary to prevent damage to our buildings”, Oyebanji counseled.
Applauding the government for the swift action, the Olupoti of Ipoti, Oba Oladipupo Kolade and Oloja- Owa of Owatedo, Oba Adebayo Adewole, described the calamity as heartrending, saying it is necessary for people to manage their buildings to resolve such crisis.
Specifically, the Olupoti, Oba Kolade, said: “I nearly cried while going round yesterday to assess the level of damage. Mostly affected are the women and children, that makes the matter so worrisome.
“I want to appreciate the governor for being proactive in attending to this emergency situation in record time. The governor had again demonstrated that he is after the welfare of Ekiti people, so we are expecting the government’s help within a short time to give relieve to the victims”, the monarch stated.
Expressing grief over the large scale destruction caused by the rainstorm, the Olowa of Odo Owa Ekiti, Oba Gideon Oyedeji, said those affected are poor people, who need emergency help to repair their damaged buildings and restore their hope.
“We appreciate the government for this respect and the promise to help the victims. We know the value of what the government is doing , particularly securing our lives, so that we can sleep and access our farms. We are grateful for all these”.
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On the governor’s entourage were: the lawmaker representing Ijero Constituency, Hon Ademola Ojo, Chairman, Irede Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ayo Awe, political office holders, traditional leaders, among others.