Makinde seeks support for Ibadan explosion victims  

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said the state and the people affected in the last Tuesday explosion in Bodija, Ibadan, needed the prayers and support of the public to come out stronger.

Five people died, 77 sustained varying degrees of injuries and 58 houses were seriously damaged in the explosion.

Makinde, who said the government had been working out a long-term solution to the challenges posed by the incident, made this known while receiving members of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said the government had been battling with the fallout of the incident, including providing medical attention to casualties, giving temporary accommodation to victims and dealing with the security aspect of the incident.

The governor said, “Yes, we have been battling with the fallout from the incident; we have been trying to give the affected people temporary accommodation so that they can continue their lives.

“Also, we have the people who got injured and need medical attention and the humanitarian side of it where some children are supposed to be in school now. So, it is still very early days and we have to look at a long-term solution. We are also dealing with the security aspect of the incident. So, you need to keep encouraging and supporting us where possible and praying for us.”

Makinde, however, used the opportunity of the visit to pledge his support for the party’s unity, saying he would continue to play a positive role towards ensuring that the PDP becomes united and formidable.

“Regarding our party, I am proud of the role the BoT is playing. I received the letter and have responded to the letter. I did not mince words in terms of what we should be doing as a party. Unity is important and we have to unite”, he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of the PDP BoT and former Senate President, Wabara, commended the governor for his prompt response to the unfortunate incident and for showing his prowess as an engineer by directing that a structural integrity test be conducted on about 230 buildings in the affected area.

He expressed the condolences of the party to the governor and the government of the state as well as families, who lost loved ones to the incident.