The Oyo State government has debunked the insinuation that it has abandoned the welfare of victims of the explosion that occured at Bodija, Ibadan, last January.
The state government stated in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, that the rumour was both unfair and unnecessary.
Recalled that, as a result of stockpiling of mining explosives, an explosion occured at Aderinola Street, off Adeyi Avenue, Bodija on 16 January.
The devastating explosion left several people injured, lead to loss of human lives and destruction of many houses and other property.
Prince Oyelade revealed that ever since the explosion, the state government has been spending between 15 and 20 million naira weekly on accommodation for and feeding of the victims in the past eight weeks.
“As we speak, government has spent over 160 million naira on accommodation and feeding alone for the victims who were immediately accommodated at the hotels and the 38 of them still residing in the various hotels.
“In the same vein, government has picked up a medical bill of over 17 million naira while those still in hospitals are being actively catered for,” the commissioner stated.
According to Oyelade, seven decent hotels, some in highbrow areas, are being used to accommodate victims of the unfortunate incident.
The commissioner also disclosed that the sum of ₦2million is being spent weekly, amounting to ₦16 million in eight weeks, for security operatives to protect the property left behind by the victims of the explosion.
Oyelade also denied the rumour that some of the victims were ejected from their hotel accomodations, declaring that nothing can be farther from the truth.
“One of the hotels at Idi-Ape informed their occupants that they would like to fumigate their premises. The state government took it upon itself to immediately arrange transportation for the victims of the explosion to be accommodated in another hotel at Jericho, together with members of their families.
“Government does not think making an issue of fumigating a facility is the correct thing to do because such exercise is routine and the prerogative of the hotel owners.
“On the accusation that victims meals have been reduced to one, government sees this as equally spurious.
“This is because many hotels provide complimentary breakfast, and most of our wards go out in the day time, hence, government’s decision to provide dinner,” he added in the statement.
Prince Oyelade however said government is humbled by the gratitude and understanding shown by the victims and the populace alike.
He said the victims saw the genuineness of government spending millions of naira to protect the property left behind by the victims.
The commissioner added that this also included the large sums of money spent on their medical bills, accommodation and feeding so far.
