Enimere Àkànbí
In order to ameliorate unsavory situation emanated from unfortunate blast of 16th January 2024, residents of Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG) a section of Bodija housing estate has called for financial rehabilitation from Federal and Oyo state governments.
Residents of the area who made the appealed through its spokesperson, Professor Lucas Olabode, at a press conference marking 9 months of the explosion, urged President Bola Tinubu, to extend to them same succour, victims of mining explosion and recent flood disaster in Niger and Borno states, enjoyed from his government.
The people who mostly are senior citizens, who have served society, the state and Nigeria, in different capacities, alleged that all efforts through meetings and writing to seek government assistance were futile, adding that if the financial rehabilitation is granted, it would help rebuilding houses which according to them were built during their active years.
While appreciating Federal and Oyo state government for relief materials sent through NEMA and SEMA, the residents also appealed to Governor Ṣèyí Mákindè to act without delay on the listed losses submitted at the Oyo state housing corporation since 9 months ago.
While calling for more proactive actions to curb activities of illegal miners in the state, DOVG sued for prosecution of agents that disturbed the peace of the residential area, adding that nothing had been heard on the case since arraignment at High court in April, 2024.
On his part, representative of Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA), Ade Adeniyi, who highlighted the role played by the association which include provision of immediate needs to the victims and reaching out to government functionaries, charged governments to merge the association’s reports with its to work with.
Adeniyi also frown at political office holders especially members of the legislative arm of government that are representing the area in both state and federal levels, for their failure to come to aid of the people.
Earlier in his opening speech, Pa Yakubu Adedigba, who doubled as the chairman of the planning committee and the occasion, prayed God to avert future reoccurrence of such calamity in the state and Nigeria at large.
Cross section of the residents while narrating their ordeal revealed that they are yet to return home, adding that renovated houses within the area was done through loans, personal funds and support from children and friends.
“As patriotic and loyal Nigerians, while we are grateful to the government of Oyo State for the past favour, we now passionately call on both the Federal and State Governments to do more to alleviate the sufferings of the residents of DOVG.
“It is an understatement to say that we are in distress as many of us have not been able to return to our homes and are still squatting with relatives and friends.
“Some of our houses destroyed by the blast are now overgrown with weeds and invaded by wild animals. Most of us are Senior citizens who have no means at the twilight of our lives to embark on building new houses from our meagre resources.” They added.
Though DOVG could not ascertain number of their losses, reports had it that five people died, 77 sustained varying degrees of injuries, and 58 houses were damaged during the explosion that rocked Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan.
Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG) is made up of Residents of Bodija Estate living in Dejo Oyelese Street, Dejo Oyelese Close, Aderinola Street, Aderinola Close, Canon Odusanwo Street, Olagoke Akinlabi Sanda Street, Beckley Street, Oranmiyan Street, and Obasanmi Olakanpo Street of the Bodija Housing Estate. In total, the area is occupied by about 250 families.
Leave a Reply