By Gbenga Sodeinde
The Lawmaker representing Ikole Constituency II in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has sympathised with the people whose buildings were blown off by rainstorm at Oke-Ako, Ikole Local government, on Friday.
The lawmaker described the event leading to the displacing of over 600 residents from their residences , with 105 buildings destroyed, as devastating and painful to Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration.
The lawmaker spoke in Oke- Ako, Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ikole LG on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment of the level of destruction caused by the heavy storm.
Aribasoye, in a statement he personally signed, on Sunday, and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, sympathised with the victims, assuring that the government won’t neglect and allow them to sulk in their current excruciating state.
As a way of curbing recurrence of such sad and painful scenario, the lawmaker urged the residents to embrace tree planting to break the heavy storm that could affect their residences during rainfall.
The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Media and Public Affairs added that the rendering of such a number of people homeless in such a community could plunge Ekiti into unprecedented crisis if not handled with tact .
The lawmaker assured his constituents that the government of Ekiti State cares about them and would intervene by distributing relief materials to the victims to regain their unexpected losses.
Aribasoye said such natural occurences are always difficult to tame, but advising that its negative effects could be mitigated if the residents take proactive action by engaging in tree planting and keeping other environmental safety tips being offered by government.
The lawmaker said; “Let me sympathise with the victims and pray that the good Lord will give them the wherewithal to withstand the current painful and devastating state they are.
“Let me also thank the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji and his Deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye for demonstrating leadership by promptly visited the affecte the hapless landlords and residents, who were affected by this storm.
“I have always known the governor to be a promise keeper. We are confident that he will act promptly by giving palliatives to the victims to rebuild their damaged property.
“I also call on the Management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company to rehabilitate all the damaged facilities, because the community can’t continue to be in perpetual darkness.
“I appeal to to our people to take precaution by paying attention to their buildings and correct any faulty portion that can make them withstand any storm”.