Ekiti State Government has deployed a team to assess the level of damage caused by last Monday’s severe rainstorm which caused extensive damage to both public and private properties in parts of Omuo, Iworo, Isaya and some other communities in Ekiti East Local Government Area, with the aim of providing assistance to the victims.

The General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), Mr. Oludare Asaolu who led the Government Team to Omuo and other affected communities in the Council Area commiserated with the victims and assured them that Governor Biodun Oyebanji, being a responsible and responsive leader, had directed on the spot assessment with a view to commencing the process of helping them repair their damaged buildings.

Describing the effect of the rainstorm as saddening and unfortunate, Mr. Asaolu noted that over 60 houses had their roofs blown off while others were severely damaged by the storm in the affected areas, adding that he was however happy that no fatality was recorded.

Asaolu who attributed the frequent rainstorms and strong winds being witnessed in Ekiti and other parts of the World to global climate change, stressed the need for residents in the State to plant trees around their residences as part of efforts to address the emerging dangers of climate change and deforestation, emphasizing that clearing of forests for other land uses, is a major contributor to climate change and has significant environmental consequences.

Assuring that his Agency would carry out comprehensive assessment and enumeration to enable Government provide the necessary assistance to the victims, he however advised property owners to make their houses habitable through proper routine maintenance to protect them from avoidable hazards.

Responding on behalf of the people of Omuo and other affected Communities, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Kehinde Ajobiewe and the Minority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Oladele Ogunsakin expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for his swift reaction to the rainstorm.

Recounting the incident, they said hundreds of people were rendered homeless with no less than 60 houses seriously damaged, adding that apart from private residences, several public infrastructures, including schools, electrical installations and poles as well as places of worship, shops and health facilities were also severely wrecked by the storm.

In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbeyin, who thanked God that no life was lost despite the severe damages caused by the rainstorm also appreciated the quick intervention of the State Government in the matter.

He appealed to public-spirited members of the society especially from the town to also use their resources to assist those affected by the storm.