By Ayodele Oni
Succour has come for victims of Bodija explosion in Oyo State as the State Government approved the sum of ₦4.5 billion as financial support to survivors and victims.
The Bodija explosion occurred on January 16, 2024 and initial report blamed it on illegal storage of Mining explosives within the estate.
This decision was revealed after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
The state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who gave the report, explained that this was apart from the over ₦200 million that the state government had expended on accommodation, feeding, hospital, and security bills following the tragic incident.
Also, the Council approved the recommendation of the 10-man committee set up to revoke the titles of two properties off Adeyi Avenue, the scene of the explosion, “in the overall interest of the public.”
According to the commissioner, the committee also advised the state government to build a monument on the location of the revoked land in memory of the victims of the tragedy.
“The Council frowned at the spate of disinformation, half-truths, and mischievous lies being peddled by persons purportedly representing the residents on the role which the state government has played in the Bodija explosion saga.
“Council said such insinuations are unfair and mischievous and the government will not be discouraged in taking its time to do what is just for her citizens.”
The commissioner stated that some beneficiaries were engaged in family disputes, which required the painstaking intervention of the 10-man committee.
He said the government would also return to the owners and other properties adjoining ground zero to rebuild their homes at the advice of government-paid structural engineers.
According to the commissioner, “government will, through the Ministry of Justice, ensure effective prosecution of the suspects so far arraigned in court, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the case but are at large.
“During the Executive Session, the governor advised the citizens to discountenance any rumor concerning the current cabinet reshuffle.
“The governor said he decided to discourage ministerial complacency and to assure the people that he plans to end the tenure of his administration in 2027 with the same zeal with which he started in 2019.
“The governor said he does not plan to drop any member of his cabinet, except anyone who is found to be distracted.
“He said the decision to reshuffle was done to inject fresh efficiency into the system going forward.”
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