The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has called on landlords and landladies to plant trees round their houses to avert rainstorm.
The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye made the call while condoling the residents of Oke-Ako in Ikole Local Government Area where rainstorm destroyed over 105 buildings and electricity facilities on Friday which has thrown the community into total black out.
Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye while on the -spot -assessment to ascertain the level of havoc the rainstorm had caused described the occurrence as highly devastating.
The Deputy Governor was conducted round the affected areas by Regent of the town, Her Royal Highness Ogunbiyi Tinuade Adebayo, the lawmaker representing Ikole Constituency 2, Hon Adeoye Aribasoye and the Chairman, Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Hon Michael Ogungbemi.
A statement by the Special Assistant Media to the Deputy Governor, Victor Ogunje, quoted the Governor as expressing delight that no life was lost during the stormy rainfall.
“On behalf of his Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, I sympathise with you on the destruction caused by rainstorm to many residential buildings and electricity poles in this town , which we believe must have affected the wellbeing of the victims.
“Information at our disposal and on- the- spot assessment revealed that roofs of scores of residential buildings and electricity facilities were destroyed during the stormy rainfall, thereby rendering many homeless and helpless.
“We sympathise with the victims at this trying times and plead for calmness, in the sense that natural disaster of this nature is one occurrence that is difficult to control. But with personal precautions and right efforts, its effects can be minimised.
“That was why the Governor Oyebanji’s administration is ready to support interested individuals to go into tree planting and the programmes will soon be rolled out to safeguard our environment and minimise havocs being wreaked on our buildings by rainstorm.
“Tree planting is very essential. I observed that landlords here are not planting trees, I am not seeing them standing beside our houses. Let us inculcate the habit of tree planting to serve as wind breakers against storm.
“Let me also assure you that the state government won’t abandon you and allow you to regret in this current devastating conditions. We shall give all the necessary support to mitigate whatever effect this situation must have caused to your lives”.
The governor, who enlivened the spirits of the affected landlords, said the State government in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), recently gave palliatives to scores of flood victims to put a soothing balm on their pains.
The governor added; ” I believe that such laudable gestures shall be extended to you in due course. The fact that we are here shows that we care about you. If we don’t like you, we won’t have come. We care about you, we love and we will continue to support you.
“Very soon, the government will despatch the palliatives to the victims. Be peaceful and take steps to install a substantive monarch to fully take charge for this town to witness radical development. You can’t be without an Oba. That is the best way for you to ensure steady development”.
The lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, assured that succour will soon come for the victims, describing the present government as merciful and masses-oriented.
Aribasoye appealed to the victims to be peaceful and have faith in the current government, saying help will come their ways.