The House of Representatives has asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately send relief materials to communities in Ekiti and Ondo states recently ravaged by rainstorm to alleviate the suffering of residents.
The House also asked the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to collaborate with relevant state and local government agencies to undertake the reconstruction and repair of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public buildings in Itapaji Ekiti (Ikole Local Government) and Omu/Ijelu (Oye Local Government) in Ekiti North 1 Federal Constituency.
They also asked the Niger Delta Development Commission and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to provide palliative to affected communities in Ondo State on short, medium and long-term basis to over 60,000 constituents who were displaced in Ogbagi Akoko, Oyin Akoko, Okeagbe Akoko, Ugbe Akoko, and Ikare Akoko.
This followed two separate motions sponsored by Hon. Akintunde Rotimi (APC, Ekiti) and Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero (APC, Ondo) calling attention to the havoc wrecked on communities in the two states.
In his motion, Rotimi informed the House of the devastating rainstorms that affected Itapaji Ekiti in Ikole Local Government and Omu/Ijelu in Oye Local Government in Ekiti North 1 Federal Constituency, causing severe damages to residential and commercial properties, public infrastructure, farmlands, and other vital assets.
He said that the severe impact of the rainstorms on the lives and livelihoods of residents, including displacement of families, loss of property, and the disruption of economic activities has caused untold hardship to the affected persons.
He expressed concern about the potential health hazards and other risks that displaced residents and the wider community face due to the destruction of homes and infrastructure could be more devastating if nothing is done.
On his part, Hon Ehindero said that on 2 April, 2024 a very heavy rainstorm swept through many communities across the entire constituency, causing significant damage and disruption to the affected areas.
He said that over 60,000 constituents were displaced in Ogbagi Akoko, Oyin Akoko, Okeagbe Akoko, Ugbe Akoko, and Ikare Akoko, causing widespread destruction and damage to homes, businesses, and public offices.
He said that the storm destroyed buildings while others had their roofs blown off, disrupting essential services like electricity and water supply resulting in deplorable living conditions in affected communities, stressing the need to provide short, medium- and long-term assistance to the affected communities.
