By Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State Government has approved the sum of ₦4.5 billion as financial support to the survivors and victims of the Bodija explosion, which occurred on January 16, 2024.
This decision was taken at the Executive Council meeting.
According to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, this is apart from the over ₦200 million 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 to revoke the Title of two properties off Adeyi Avenue, scene of the explosion, in the overall interest of the public and that the Government should 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 would not be discouraged in taking its time to do what is just for her citizens.
Prince Oyelade said some beneficiaries are engaged in family disputes, which require the painstaking intervention of the 10-man committee.
The government would also return to the owners, other properties adjoining ground zero to rebuild their homes at the advice of government-paid Structural Engineers.
According to the Commissioner, the 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 at large.
The Governor said he took the decision 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.
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