Rainstorm displaces 50O people, destroys over 200 buildings in Ekiti community
By Ayodele Adesanmi
The governor of Ekiti State Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed sympathy to victims, as rainstorm ravaged over 200 houses and dislodged over 500 residents at Ijero Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state.
He expressed the sympathy during an on -the -spot assessment of level of wreckage done to the affected buildings. This was due to a torrential downpour that lasted about to two hours.
Badly affected by the rain were residential buildings, religious centres, market stalls, public institutions, including the Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero Ekiti and many other structures.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, who toured the affected areas, regretted how the roofs were blown off
Oyebanji stated that he was particularly heartbroken with the surge in the number of victims and how hundreds of residents were displaced as a result of the havocs wreaked on their residences.
He assured that all the houses touched will be captured by operatives of the State Emergency Management Agency during enumeration, so that the owners can be adequately helped to rebuild their destroyed property.
Revealing the actions the government had intensified to palliate the sufferings of victims, the governor, said his administration had expended over N300 million within a spate of one year to rebuild property destroyed by fire and rainstorm.
According to him “We are here to sympathise with the victims and for on- the -spot assessment of the situation. We are saddened by the level of havoc and destruction we gave seen. But we thank God no life was lost.
“This is a government that had always come to the aid of victims of incident like this. I am assuring you that we won’t abandon you. We really share from your pains.
“We are sad that many house owners are now seeking refuge with neighbours as tenants. It is a sad situation and we are not really happy about it. That is why it is good that we take all necessary precautions before rain begins every year”.
Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, said the rain was not only stormy and devastating, but lasted for a long time, making the level of destruction terrifying.
The monarch revealed that virtually all the streets in the town were affected by the destructive rain waves, with many residents displaced from their residences and sought refuge with their neighbours.
He said “I want to appreciate the governor for showing concern for our people in this matter. I know the government of Ekiti State is passionate about the welfare of the people. With the concern you have shown, I know that you will surely help them. Even your visit alone will give the victims the needed hope”.
