Ekiti govt approves N136m relief for disaster victims

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ekiti State Government has distributed relief materials worth over N136 million to residents affected by recent rainstorm disasters across the state as part of efforts to support their recovery.

The intervention included hospital equipment for healthcare facilities, instructional materials for schools and empowerment items aimed at boosting small-scale businesses.

Speaking during the presentation in Ado Ekiti, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in her office, Mr Adeleke Adefolaju, said the exercise reflected the people-oriented governance style of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.

Afuye said the government remained committed to ensuring that vulnerable residents were not excluded from its development programmes, noting that the assistance would help beneficiaries rebuild their lives despite not fully compensating for their losses.

“The equipment provided for hospitals will improve healthcare services, while the instructional materials are intended to enhance teaching and learning in our schools,” she said.

She added that the empowerment packages were designed to stimulate economic activities, encourage self-reliance and improve the living conditions of recipients across the state.

Similarly, the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ademola Bello, commended Oyebanji for approving funds to assist disaster victims, recalling that the administration had earlier provided over N300 million to rainstorm victims and more than N100 million to those affected by fire incidents.

Also speaking, the General Manager of SEMA, Oludare Asaolu, said the government partnered with NIMASA to provide additional support materials for schools, hospitals and vulnerable groups, while beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention and pledged to make good use of the items.