Rainstorm Destroys Over 50 Buildings In Ekiti

Rainstorms destroyed over 50 buildings in some communities in the Ijero local government area of Ekiti state.

The destruction occurred on Wednesday following a heavy downpour in the communities.

The affected communities where the rainstorm wreaked havoc are Ipoti, Ejiyan, Owatedo and Odo Owa Ekiti.

Buildings affected include residential buildings, shops, and educational institutions.

Meanwhile, Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday visited the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the buildings blown off by hurricanes during the stormy downpour in the communities.

The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, sympathised with the victims and promised to initiate a process to help them repair their damaged buildings in record time.

He bemoaned the consistent rainstorms being witnessed in Ekiti and how many were being rendered homeless on account of this depressive occurrence.

The governor challenged landlords and homeowners to always take precautions by repairing damaged roofs and changing weak planks that can predispose their residences to unwarranted wreckage.

Oyebanji said regular maintenance of facilities on old buildings remains the best option to avert annual rainstorms being experienced in some towns, thereby rendering many homeless and scores being sapped economically.

As part of ways to halt and mitigate such occurrences, Oyebanji encouraged tree planting around residential areas to serve as windbreakers during stormy rainfall, urging the traditional institution to propagate such practice among the people at the grassroots.

“I am saddened seeing people being homeless as a result of rainstorms. Moving around the town, you could see that the disaster was too much. We promise that the State Emergency Management Agency officers will visit here to enumerate the buildings and value the damage on the government‘s behalf. We are going to help you; God shall heal your wounds.

“When something like this happens at Oke Ako Ekiti, the governor approved about N50m to rebuild the damaged buildings, likewise other towns like Ijesa Isu, Omu and Ijelu communities.

“Though we thank God that there is no loss of lives, that is our joy. There were many ruins, but we needed rain to flourish our lives and farming. But we have to do what is necessary to prevent damage to our buildings“, Oyebanji counselled.

In his response, the Olupoti of Ipoti, Oba Oladipupo Kolade, and the Oloja-Owa of Owatedo, Oba Adebayo Adewole, commended the government‘s swift action. They described the calamity as heartrending and said people must manage their buildings to resolve such crises.

Specifically, the Olupoti, Oba Kolade, said: „I nearly cried while going round yesterday to assess the level of damage. The women and children are primarily affected, which makes the matter so worrisome.

„I appreciate the governor proactively attending to this emergency in record time. The governor has again demonstrated that he is after the welfare of Ekiti people, so we are expecting the government‘s help within a short time to relieve the victims“, the monarch stated.

Expressing grief over the matter, the Olowa of Odo Owa Ekiti, Oba Gideon Oyedeji, said those affected are poor people who need emergency help to repair their damaged buildings and restore their hope.

„We appreciate the government for this respect and the promise to help the victims. We know the value of what the government is doing, particularly securing our lives so we can sleep and access our farms. We are grateful for all these“.