It was meant to serve as relief from the intense heat while also preparing farmers towards the planting season but it came with an unexpected devastation that has left many homeless. RAPHAEL ADEYANJU writes on the rainstorm that rendered many homeless in Ekiti state last week.
Rainfall had always been considered as a source of blessing to humanity especially in agrarian societies like Ekiti state where people still depend largely on the traditional method of farming.
Since the farmers in this clime have not fully embraced the modern irrigation system, it is expected that the arrival of the annual rainfall is always a welcome development.
However, for the residents of Ado-Ekiti the capital of Ekiti state and some other communities in the state, the early rainfall of the year, rather than being a source of blessings, has turned their joy to sorrow and tears.
The heavy rainfall that took place over the weekend destroyed many buildings and property worth more than a hundred million naira throughout state. Many households have been rendered homeless.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ekiti Emergency Management Agency (EEMA) both announced that the state capital and two local government areas were worst hit by the disaster.
More than 80 houses were affected and property worth more than 100 million naira has been destroyed in about seven communities.
The general manager of EEMA, Mr Buruji Olajide, told Blueprint that apart from the state capital, some other communities like, Are, Afao and Igbemo, in Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti state were seriously affected by the rainstorm.
Buruji also said that Isan Ekiti and Iludun in Oye local government area were seriously by the rainstorm.
Victims cry out
The traditional ruler of Are Ekiti, one of the affected towns has cried out to both the state and the federal governments to come to the aid of his community over the devastating rainstorm that destroyed over 46 houses in the community.
Speaking to Blueprint in his palace, Oba Boluade Adebiyi, the Alare of Are Ekiti lamented that his palace and more than 30 other buildings were affected by the devastating heavy rainstorm.
He said, “As you can see, part of the palace roof has been blown off but that is not my immediate problem now. My major concern is how to take care of my people that have become homeless by this natural disaster.”
One of the victims, Mr Ayodele Anisulowo of Number 18, Odo-ode Street in Are Ekiti lamented that the roof of his family house was blown off by the rainstorm with the whole household members rendered homeless with many properties destroyed by the storm.
Anisulowo is not the only victim. Madam Jibiye Adeleye an octogenarian widow has been forced to relocate to her paternal house pending the time her children can repair the house. She said, “I thank God that I am a native of Are Ekiti; I have a place to keep my head for now. But it is not convenient at all. l have been married for almost 60 years and since I left for my husband’s house, I have not slept a night here in my father’s house, but here I am now.”
Oba Adebiyi who said he has contacted relevant state and federal authorities to come to the aid of the community also appealed to the indigenes of Are Ekiti in the Diaspora to come home and help their people at home. He explained that, “Immediately after the rainstorm, I sent some of my chiefs to inform the state government; I also contacted officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and I received their quick response.”
Oba Adebiyi, who explained that the victims are yet to get relief materials, expressed the hope that both the ESEMA and its federal counterpart jointly visited the community and they will do something very soon.
Mr Olajide has, however, promised that Are Ekiti and affected communities will receive government attention as soon as the agency completes its report.
According to him, “The state emergency management agency and NEMA have jointly visited some of the affected areas for on-the-spot assessment of the damage. More than 30 houses were destroyed in each of san and Iludun. 40 roofs houses were blown off in Afao, more than 45 houses were affected in Are Ekiti. Among the property destroyed in Afao, was the newly completed Gifted Academic in Afao Ekiti
“We have visited some of the affected communities to assess the level damage. We have been able to establish that more than 70 houses were affected, we thank God that no casualty was recorded, but we are still compiling our report, when it is ready, we shall state the total number of houses affected.
State government to assist victims
In the meantime, the state government has promised to assist people whose properties were destroyed by rain storm from the incident.
Speaking shortly after inspecting the properties which spread across major parts of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, the secretary to the state government, Hon Biodun Oyebanji and the chief of staff to the governor, Hon Biodun Omoleye said the state government would work in collaboration with NEMA to quickly assuage the sufferings of the victims many of whose houses and roofs were blown off by the heavy rainstorm which has caused untold hardship on the people.
The SSG described the damage as high and alarming as properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
He said the Fayemi-led administration will always be swift in responding to the plight of the people because, according to him, he runs a government that cares for the people.
He urged the people to cultivate the habit of tree planting which can help in protecting the environment, while noting that the trees within Ado Community High School prevented the rainstorm from wrecking havocs on the school.
“We are here to have a physical assessment of the damage. The rate of devastation is so high and alarming. We sympathise with those who were affected by this natural disaster. We promise them that government will rise to the occasion. We run a government that cares for the people, a government that is responsive to their plight.
We share their pains; we share their concerns. We assure them that this is their government. Whatever we can in collaboration with NEMA to quickly assuage their suffering, we will do that expeditiously,” he said.
A victim Mr Toyin Olaiya thanked the state government for the swift response and pleaded for relief materials so that they can have houses to accommodate them.
A 90-year old woman, Madam Florence Arogundade, whose house was also affected at Ekute area, came out with the aid of her walking stick and asked the governor not to relent in prioritising the welfare of the masses.
Madam Arogundade, however, thanked Fayemi for the quick response and prayed for the success of his government.
