Regular Maintenance, Tree Planting Re-echoed As Rainstorms Destroy Nearly 600 Buildings In Ekiti

The commencement of the new raining season all over the country especially among the farmers is always a thing of joy and happiness but opposite is the case for some people in Ekiti State when it started in the state in March, 2025.

About 600 hundred buildings roofs were blown off within the month by rainstorms in some communities across the state.

The first of such incidents saw over 50 buildings destroyed by rainstorm in some communities in Ijero local government area of the state,following a heavy downpour.

The affected communities where residential buildings, shops, and educational institutions were affected are: Ipoti, Ejiyan, Owatedo and Odo Owa Ekiti.

Few days later, rainstorm also wreaked havoc in Iyin, Ifaki and Usi Ekiti communities, where over 100 buildings were affected.

Scores of victims were rendered homeless due to the wreckage suffered after the torrential rainfall.

Iyin Ekiti is in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area while Ifaki and Usi Ekiti are both in Ido-Osi local government area of the state.

Mostly hit by the tornado were private residential buildings, Police Staff Quarters, religious centres, and lock up shops, spread across the three towns.

Towards the end of the month, the ugly incident was also recorded in  Oye, Ayede and Ilupeju Ekiti, in Oye local government area of the state where over 300 buildings rooftops were blown off, during a stormy downpour.

The development has become a source of concern to both the government and stakeholders who are offering advice to the people on the way out and equally calling for action .

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who visited the communities for an on-the-spot inspection lamented increasing spate of rainstorm causing colossal destruction of buildings and electrical facilities in the state.

He said such has rendered hundreds of citizens homeless as well as throwing them into perpetual darkness.

Governor Oyebanji , represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, during his visit to communities where buildings roof tops were blown off by the hurricane that accompanied the stormy downpour sympathized with the victims and promised to initiate process that will lend a helping hand for them to repair their damaged buildings.

He , however, challenged the landlords and house owners to always take precautions by repairing damaged roofs and changed weak planks that can predispose their residences to unwarranted wreckage.

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

“We thank God that there is no loss of lives, that is our joy in this matter. The ruins were much, but we need rains to make our lives and farming flourish. But we have to do what is necessary to prevent damage to our buildings”.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP in Ado Ekiti, a building contractor, Mr Bola Adeola stressed the need for landlords to always conduct regular maintenance on their structures to avert the recurrent cases of building collapse during stormy downpour in the state.

He said, ” structures and buildings that have been constructed for more than five years need to be checked if there things to be replaced so that such will be able to remain standing when rainstorm comes”.

A resident of Ado Ekiti, Mr Ojo Lawrence advised house owners on planting trees around residential areas to serve as wind breaker during stormy rainfall.

He said , “Trees planting must be encouraged among the people , particularly those in the rural areas as part of the ways to halt and mitigate such occurrences”.