The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed deep sympathy to victims, as rainstorm ravaged about 200 houses and dislodged over 500 residents at Ijero Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state.
Oyebanji expressed the sympathy on Thursday during an on -the -spot assessment of level of wreckage done to the affected buildings, triggered by a torrential downpour that lasted for over two hours, on Wednesday.
Badly affected by the stormy 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, with many buildings brought down and turned into relics.
Oyebanji stated that he was particularly heartbroken with the surge in the number of victims and how hundreds of residents were displaced from their abodes, as a result of the havocs wreaked on their residences.
Governor Oyebanji 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.
He further canvased the imperative of building owners embracing tree planting around residential houses and ensuring annual turnaround maintenance on their buildings to avert reoccurrence of such devastating and excruciating incident.
“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”.
Commending the governor for being painstaking and showed concern about the plights of the victims, the 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.
“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”.
During the visit to the affected tertiary institution in the community, the Rector, Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero Ekiti, Dr. Moses Olufemi Olubamise, bemoaned how five of their buildings and ongoing projects were destroyed by the stormy rain.
Dr Olubamise added that the rainstorm nearly disturbed the ongoing examination as some halls were blown off, but had to quickly improvise another venues to forestall any untoward situation that could alter the school calendar.
“Our Director of Works is still assessing the level of damage to five of our projects, so that we can present to the state government for timely consideration and intervention”.