Rainstorm: Gov Oyebanji Laments Destruction of Buildings at Itapaji, Canvasses Tree Planting

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has appealed to residents of the state to embrace tree planting around residential buildings to prevent the alarming rate of destruction of buildings by rainstorm.

Oyebanji said the recurrent decimal of building wreckages being witnessed in some communities could have been averted if residents embraced tree planting that could break destructive wind during torrential downpour.

The governor spoke in Itapaji Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area, Monday, while inspecting some buildings that were destroyed by tornado in the town over the weekend.

During the destructive rainfall, no fewer than 10 buildings, including a public institution, were blown down, with over 50 rendered homeless.

During the on-the-spot appraisal of the level of havoc wreaked in the town, Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, regretted the alarming rate of destruction of buildings by rainstorm in Ekiti in recent times.

To arrest such sordid scenarios, the governor said there was a necessity by landlords to ensure adequate maintenance of their structures to either forestall or reduce such devastating occurrence.

Sympathising with the victims, Oyebanji pledged the support of the state government for those who had been rendered homeless as a result of the highly destructive rainstorm incidence.

His words: “This is one occurrence that was heart-rending and very devastating. I have never seen any rainstorm of this extent. Not long ago, we went to inspect some buildings that were destroyed at Ijelu and Omu Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area. The reoccurrence of this kind of incidence was becoming worrisome to us as a government.

“We thank God that nobody died. But losing property under this avoidable situation is painful. We want our people to embrace tree planting around their houses. Trees are wind breakers that can help us protect our structures against damage.

“Besides tree planting, we should endeavour to carry out regular turn around maintenance on our buildings. This is very essential to prevent us losing our buildings to rainstorm.”

The governor personally visited the home of a 120-year old victim, Chief Ajayi Fabunmi to sympathise with her over the wreckage on her building.

Conducting the governor and other officials round the wreckage, the Olu of Itapaji, Oba Abdulazees Adebanjo, applauded the state governor for showing compassion to the victims, particularly the expeditious way with which he visited the community.

Oba Adebanjo, represented by Oluketu of Itapaji, Chief Olaoye Olusesan, pleaded with government to speedily grant the requests of the victims and give support that could bail them out their current precarious situation.

Speaking about other facilities that could add modernity to the agrarian community, the monarch appealed to government to restore electricity to the community that had been in perpetual darkness for about 20 years.

“The last time we had electricity supply here in Itapaji was 2008. This had affected our local economy. Some of those who were into private businesses had either folded up or left the town. We need help in this regard”, the monarch said.

On the governor’s entourage were – the Chairman of Ikole Local Government Area, Hon. Bayo Omojola, his counterpart in Ajoni LCDA, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, Director General, Office of Community Engagement, Mrs. Mary Oso- Omotoso, General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency and Mr. Kayode Asaolu, among others.