Rainstorm destroys 69 buildings in Ekiti
The traditional ruler of Are Ekiti community in Irepodun /Ifelodun Local Government has cried out to both the state and the federal governments to come to the aid of his community over a devastating rainstorm that destroyed over 43 houses in the community.
While addressing the press at his palace on Tuesday, Oba Boluade Adebiyi, the Alare of Are Ekiti lamented that his palace and Anisulowo compound at Inisa in Odo ode idemorun, ileko and more than thirty other buildings were affected by the heavy rainstorm that has rendered many homeless.
He said, ” As you can see, part of the palace roof has been blown off, but that is not my immediate problem now. My concern now is how to take care of my people that have become homeless due to this natural disaster ”
One of the victims of the rainstorm, Mr Kayode Anisulowo of number 18, Odo Ode Street lamented that the roof of his family house was blown off by the rainstorm, and the whole household has been rendered homeless, while many properties were destroyed by the rain water.
Anisulowo is not the only victim of the rainstorm. Madam J. Adamolekun, funmlayo Abayo an octogenarian window has been forced to relocate to her father’s house pending the time her children can repair their father’s house. She lamented : ” 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 sixty-two years and since I left for my husband’s house, I have not slept a night here in my father’s house. ”
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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 diaspora to come home and help their people at home. The monarch explains, “immediately after the rainstorm, I sent some of my chiefs to inform the state government, I also contacted the officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and Iam with their quick response ”
Oba Adebiyi who explained that the victims are yet to get relief materials, expressed the hope that both the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, and its Federal counterpart that jointly visited the community will do something very soon.
The General Manager of Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Buruji Olajide has however told journalists that Are Ekiti was not the only community affected by the rainstorm.
According to him, Ado Ekiti, the state capital and some other communities like Afao and Igbemo, in Irepodun / Ifelodun Local Government of Ekiti State were equally affected. Other towns including Isan Ekiti and Iludun in Oye Local Government were also hit by the heavy rainstorm.
He stated , ” The State Emergency Management Agency and NEMA have jointly visited some of the affected areas for on the spot assessment of the damages.
” We have visited some of the affected communities to assess the level of damages . We have been able to establish that more than 69 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 the victims. “
