Nine Months On, Still No Relief: Bodija Estate Residents Call On Govt For Financial Rehabilitation, Justice After Devastating Explosion

In order to ameliorate the unsavory situation emanated from the unfortunate blast of 16th January 2024 and restore normalcy in the area, residents of Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG), a section of Bodija housing estate, has appealed to the Federal and Oyo state governments for financial rehabilitation.

Residents of the area, who made the appeal through their spokesperson, Professor Lucas Olabode, at a press conference to mark 9 months of the unfortunate incident, held at an event centre, Bodija area, urged President Bola Tinubu to extend to them succour his government extended to victims of mining explosion and recent flood disaster in Niger state and Maiduguri, Borno state respectively.

The people, mostly senior citizens, 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 the federal and Oyo state government for relief materials sent through NEMA and SEMA, the residents also appealed to the state government to act without delay on the list of 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.

“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.

On his part, representative of Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA), Ade Adeniyi, who highlighted the role played by the association, which includes provision of immediate needs to the victims and reaching out to government, charged governments to merge the association’s reports with its to work with.

Earlier in his opening speech, Pa Yakubu Adedigba, who doubled as chairman of the planning committee and the occasion, prayed God to avert future reoccurrence of such calamity in the state and Nigeria at large.

A cross-section of the residents, while narrating their ordeal, revealed that they are yet to return home, adding that renovated houses within the area were done through loans, personal funds, and support from children and friends.

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.