Oyebanji spends N645m on rainstorm, fire victims in four years

By Boye Oyeyemi

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State disclosed on Thursday that his administration has spent N645.4 million assisting victims of rainstorms and fire disasters across the state since 2022.

Oyebanji, represented by his deputy, Monisade Afuye, disclosed this in Ado Ekiti while distributing N105 million in cash and relief materials to 159 victims of rainstorm and flooding.

The governor said N460.8 million had so far been given to victims of rainstorms, while another N184.6 million was spent assisting residents whose properties were destroyed by fire during the period.

The beneficiaries received various forms of assistance, including cash, roofing sheets, cement, wood, roofing nails, food items and other materials to help them recover from the disasters.

Oyebanji expressed concern over the increasing incidents of flooding and rainstorms, urging residents to heed warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency.

He particularly warned residents against building on waterways and urged them to keep drainage channels clear, stressing that early preventive measures could reduce the impact of disasters.

In his remarks, the General Manager of EKSEMA, Oludare Asaolu, said the agency had continued to sensitise residents across the 16 local government areas on disaster prevention, while cautioning against construction in flood-prone areas.

Also, the NEMA Head of Operations for Ekiti and Ondo states, Olanrewaju Kazeem, said more torrential rainfall was expected in September based on weather forecasts, urging residents to take necessary steps to protect their lives and property.