The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has sympathised with owner and occupants of a building located in Ikere Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area, that was gutted down by fire during an evening inferno that occurred in the community on Tuesday.
Oyebanji appealed to the populace to heed the warnings and precautionary tips being dished out by government to bring a slump to recurrent cases of fire disaster capable of ravaging the property of the citizens.
The governor spoke in Ikere Ekiti, on Wednesday, while inspecting the 12- room bungalow belonging to a 95-year old Pa Matthew Jayeola, that was ravaged by fire at Oke Osun area of the community.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, bemoaned how the building and the entire property therein, had been destroyed due to human laxity.
The governor warned the residents against cooking inside their rooms, saying civilisation must have prompted such practice , but insisted that it is still not proper and ideal.
Oyebanji saluted a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adeyemi Rufus Ojuawo, the Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Hon Olu Adamolekun, his counterpart in Ikere West LCDA, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), for collectively donated 20 bundles of iron sheets and 10 bags of cement to the victim to speedily begin the rebuilding process.
The governor promised to offer relief materials to the victims, saying his government places high premium value on the welfare of the populace, though, in a more positively impactful manner and not in this kind of avoidable circumstance.
“I want to appreciate God that no life lost. When there is life, there is hope. Life is the most important thing.
“But civilisation doesn’t mean that people should be cooking inside their rooms. I learnt the origin of this fire was from one of the rooms. That was the reason why the fire could not be stopped even with the intervention of the men of the fire services.
“This government has been preaching all the time that our people should take caution. We should be careful with some of these disasters that are consuming our buildings and other property. If we are careful and be cautious, we can easily avoid some of those occurrences.
“To us as a government, we are deeply saddened by this incident. We sympathise with those that were affected. God will heal your wounds”.
Speaking on the incident, the General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Oludare Asaolu, said the scenario was not only demoralizing, but traumatizing , saying he personally got across to the fire services men upon receiving distressed calls on Tuesday evening to rise and safe the situation.
Asaolu regretted that the occurrence was man- made and not natural, having been caused by negligence of a resident of the building, which brazenly negated the principle being preached by the governor that the people should take high precaution.
“This is a man made occurrence and not natural. We have been trying to sensitize our people to take precautions. We can’t continue to witness this kind of things . Mr. Governor is not interested in sympathising with people, but to prevent them from occurring.
“This is quite regrettable. The state government will continue to.imoress it on our people to take actions on some of our prevention tips. The government will not also abandon those who fell victims”.
The 95-year old Pa Matthew Kokunmo, while recounting his ordeal, said he was at Oke Osun area of Ikere Ekiti at dusk, when one of his grandchildren came to inform him that his house had been razed down.
The Nonagenarian added that he couldn’t really trace the source of the ravaging fire, but was happy that no life lost despite that all the property therein were consumed by the inferno.
“I am old, I am now 95 years. I appeal to the government to help me rebuild this building. I have suffered in my life and I don’t think I should spend the rest of my life suffering. I have been dislodged now with my family members and other tenants. This is not good for someone of my age.
“I appreciate the state government for sending two fire fighting trucks to help in quenching the fire and for its readiness to help me overcome this problem. I am grateful”.
