EKITI GOVT DISBURSES N645.4M TO RAINSTORM, FIRE VICTIMS
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By:Aminat Tajudeen
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has disclosed that his administration has spent N645.4m to support victims of rainstorm and fire disasters across the state between 2022 and 2026.
Oyebanji, who expressed concern over the devastating impact of flooding, rainstorms and fire outbreaks, urged residents to heed early warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, spoke in Ado Ekiti on Thursday during the distribution of N105m in cash and relief materials to 159 victims of rainstorm and flooding in the state.
The relief items included roofing sheets, bags of cement, wood planks, roofing nails, food items and other essential consumables.
Oyebanji said the government had, since 2022, provided N460.8m in assistance to rainstorm victims, while victims of fire disasters had received support worth N184.6m.
He attributed the recent increase in flooding and rainstorm incidents partly to indiscriminate development and the failure of some property owners to take necessary precautions.
He said, “Climate change is real. We must desist from building on waterways. We must clear our drainages and take early warning information from EKSEMA and NIMET seriously. Prevention is far better and cheaper than cure.”
The governor noted that several communities had recently suffered devastating losses from flooding and rainstorms, with homes destroyed, farmlands washed away and families displaced.
He assured affected residents of the government’s continued commitment to their welfare, saying the latest intervention was approved immediately after reports were received from EKSEMA.
Oyebanji commended EKSEMA for its prompt assessment and verification of affected persons, as well as local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders and NEMA for their collaboration.
The General Manager of EKSEMA, Oludare Asaolu, called for stronger support for the state’s anti-flooding campaigns and disclosed that the agency had continued to sensitise residents across the state’s 16 local government areas on disaster prevention.
Asaolu warned residents and developers against constructing on waterways and flood-prone areas, stressing the need for proactive measures to minimise disasters.
He also urged residents to guard against fire outbreaks, particularly those caused by electrical faults, advising them to switch off electrical appliances when leaving their homes and promptly fix faulty wiring.
Similarly, the NEMA Head of Operations for Ekiti and Ondo states, Olanrewaju Kazeem, said NIMET had forecast more torrential rainfall in September, urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect their lives and property.
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