Over 300 house rooftops were blown off during a stormy downpour that wreaked havoc Tuesday’s evening in some communities in Ekiti state.
The state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji Oyebanji, stated this Thursday while inspecting some buildings destroyed by rainstorm in Oye, Ayede and Ilupeju Ekiti, in Oye local government area of Ekiti state.
He lamented the increasing spate of rainstorms causing colossal destruction of buildings and electrical facilities in the state and rendering hundreds of citizens homeless and throwing them into perpetual darkness.
The governor was accompanied by the officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA).
Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, sympathised with the victims, saying the government of Governor Biodun Oyebanji won’t abandon them to suffer.
Commenting on the massive disaster, the governor said he had earlier visited Ipoti, Odo- Owa, Igbemo, Iyin, Ifaki, Ilawe and other affected towns for similar visitations, which heightened the impression that the disaster was becoming a recurrent decimal tormenting the populace.
Oyebanji lamented how the rainstorm had pulled down electricity facilities, with residents having no hope of power supply soon.
“I am worried with the increasing level of rainstorm and destruction of buildings in our towns in recent times. Most worrisome to me was the rate at which people were being rendered homeless. I am not happy about this.
“As I always said, let us exercise maintenance culture on our buildings before the start of the rainy season. This will go a long way in preventing our buildings from being affected, because when you change the old planks and corrugated sheets, this will help in resisting the storm.
“Planting of tees around residential areas is also a way of preventing this kind of occurrence. The government has been sensitising the people on this and we expect that they must key into this kind of preventive measures.
“Whatever happens, we are not going to abandon our people to suffer. The government will come for the enumeration of affected buildings and give the needed support where necessary”.
Expressing discontentment over the incident, the Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oba David Akingbade, who appreciated the visit, called on the government to come to the aid of those affected by the tornado, so they can rebuild their structures timely.