Ekiti spends N105 million on palliative care for fire victims

The Ekiti State government has spent over 105 million naira to provide relief to victims of the disastrous fire that hit the state last year.

Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, made this known on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, while distributing food and other essential items to the 757 storm victims in Ijelu, Omu and Itapaji Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area.

Afuye said the N105 million comprised of N35.5 million in cash distributed to fire victims, N58.113 million used for transportation of food items and other approvals, including N12 million.

He said the materials distributed on the occasion, including maize, gari, backpack sprayers, groundnut oil, clothing materials, rice and other consumables that could reduce the suffering of the victims “were provided by the National Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Ekiti State Government to cushion the effects of the emergency on the victims.”

The lieutenant governor advised residents to take necessary precautions against disasters, including fires and floods.

Afuye said: “It is worth noting that a sum of N35.5 million was recently distributed to the victims of the fire disaster, while a total of N58.113 million was used for the transportation of foodgrains and garri, which were distributed to citizens through local governments and religious groups, irrespective of party affiliation.

“There are other approvals such as a sum of N12 million for fire victims. Another sum of N47 million is in the pipeline for storm victims. On our part, we are committed to fulfilling our promises to the people in line with our political thrust.”

He assured residents that any supply of palliative food released to the state by the federal government will be distributed fairly and equitably to the people, without discrimination.

He said Governor Biodun Oyebanji had made frantic efforts to tackle floods in the state by dredging canals and waterways.

He said: “Please, when it rains, do not pile your waste in the canals or build on the waterways. We know that natural disasters can be difficult to prevent, but some of them are man-made and we must avoid them. Officials from the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency will be out soon to explain to you how to prevent disasters.”

The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Head of Operations of the agency in the state, Mrs. Kofoworola Soleye, urged residents to take out the existing Disaster Management Insurance policy, which could serve as compensation in case of damage to their property.

Also, the Director General of Ekiti SEMA, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, said the palliatives will serve to assuage the feelings of the victims, saying that the government would soon adopt better and pragmatic measures to save them from their current plight.