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It was joy, after sorrow for victims of the gas explosion that occurred at Akungba Akoko and fire incident in Iwaro Oka in the state last year.
This was as a result of the National Emergency Management Agency’s distribution of relief materials to victims of the disasters.
Head, Ekiti Operations Office of NEMA, Mr. Olusegun Afolayan, said beneficiaries were victims of the gas explosion at Akungba Akoko on 18th October 2020 and the fire outbreak at Iwaro Oka on October 31st, 2020.
Some students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, were affected by the gas explosion.
Relief materials disributed by the agency include roofing sheets, food items, bags of cement , mattresses, among others.
Afolayan enjoined beneficiaries to make do with the donation, which was just to cushion the effect of the disasters.
He explained that his agency’s mandate was to ensure that the protection of lives and property of citizens were guaranteed.
The NEMA boss stated further that his agency had earlier carried out a post disaster assessment to determine the needs of the affected persons.
He called on State Governments across the country, to establish and equip local emergency management committees, adding that the creation of such committees would enhance early warning system and reduce response time during emergencies.
Member representating Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Ade Adeogun, commended the Federal Government for responding to the plight of the victims.
He disclosed that he was already in talks with the Federal Ministry of Works to reduce the number of articulated vehicles plying the Akungba route, in order to forestall future road crashes.
He equally urged the Ministry to fast-track the repair of the alternative routes, so as to reduce the number of articulated vehicles passing through Akungba to prevent incessant accidents.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, stated that the state was constantly in touch with the Federal Government on how to avert incessant road crashes in the area.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Dr Jimmy Kuffour, he confirmed that beneficiaries were the real victims of the disasters.
One of the beneficiaries, Omoare Ojo, thanked NEMA for the intervention and said the materials would go a long way in cushioning the effect of the disaster on them.
