Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has sympathised with the victims of a fire that razed a building on Tuesday in Ikere-Ekiti.

Mr Oyebanji expressed his sympathy on Wednesday when he visited the site of the 12-room bungalow belonging to 95-year-old Mr Matthew Jayeola, which was razed by fire at the Oke Osun area in Ikere-Ekiti.

He appealed to people in the state to heed warnings and adhere to precautionary tips by the government to reduce the recurrent cases of fires and loss of property in the state.

Mr Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye, decried the huge loss of property due to human carelessness.

He advised residents against cooking inside their rooms, describing such practice as unhygienic and inappropriate.

The governor promised to offer relief materials to the victims, saying his government places a high premium on the welfare of the people.

“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 emphasising 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,” he said.

Mr Oyebanji commended a member of the House of Representatives, Rufus Ojuawo; the chairman of Ikere Local Government, Olu Adamolekun; his counterpart in Ikere West LCDA, Rufus Olorunfemi; and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who collectively donated 20 bundles of iron sheets and 10 bags of cement to the victim to speedily begin the rebuilding process.

Speaking on the incident, the general manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Oludare Asaolu, said the scenario was not only demoralising but also traumatising.

Mr Asaolu said that he personally contacted the fire service upon receiving distress calls on Tuesday evening to respond and save the situation.

He expressed regret that the occurrence was man-made and not natural, having been caused by the negligence of a resident of the building.

“This is quite regrettable. The state government will continue to impress it on our people to take action on some of our prevention tips.

“The government will not also abandon those who fell victims.”

Pa Jayeola, while recounting his ordeal, said he was at the Oke Osun area of Ikere-Ekiti at dusk when one of his grandchildren came to inform him that his house had been razed.

The nonagenarian expressed happiness that no life was lost in the fire incident.

“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 displaced 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 putting out the fire and for its readiness to help me overcome this problem.” 

(NAN)