Oyebanji pledges support for Ekiti rainstorm victims

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged government support for victims of Saturday’s devastating rainstorm in Ado Ekiti, describing the scale of destruction as “massive and traumatizing.”

Structures damaged by the rainstorm included residential buildings, commercial structures, public institutions, while electrical facilities were not spared by the stormy rainfall, as many poles and telecommunication masts were pulled down by the furious wind.

Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, spoke in Ado Ekiti on Sunday during a tour to evaluate the proportion of destruction

The governor assured that his government being pro-masses, would not abandon the victims in subduing the emergency shock occasioned by the disaster that rendered hundreds homeless and destroyed commercial centres.

The governor had earlier in a statement on Saturday evening by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, sympathised with the victims and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to immediately commence an assessment of properties that were affected with a view to assisting the victims”.

Oyebanji said, “The destruction is massive and there is no way it won’t be a financial burden to those that were affected. Though, we are happy that no life was lost, this is the major thing to us.

We have always been advocating that our people should do turnaround maintenance on their buildings before the start of rainy season. The government is also encouraging tree planting around residential buildings to serve as wind breakers. These are the best ways to prevent some of these occurrences.

We really sympathise with those affected. Like we have said earlier, we won’t abandon them. We are with them and the government will surely intervene and give support required to rebuild these damaged structures”, he promised.

The governor assured that SEMA and National Emergency Management Agency would revisit the areas to evaluate the damaged structures and enumerate the victims to guide the government on how best to intervene in the matter.

He urged them “to remain calm and go about their daily activities without any fear, while government takes inventory of the damaged properties and facilities with a view to responding appropriately. We are in it together

“The administration is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state and will not leave any stone unturned in providing timely succour to the victims of the rainstorm”, Oyebanji said.