Rainstorm destroys over 200 houses in Ondo

One person has been confirmed dead after a heavy rainstorm wreaked havoc on Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

This newspaper gathered that the storm, which followed the first rain of the year in the community, also destroyed over 200 residential buildings.

In response to the devastating storm on Saturday, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa expressed shock at the level of damage done by the rain in the community.

Aiyedatiwa, who was on the visit with his deputy, Olayide Adelami and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, also sympathised with the family members of the woman, who lost her life in the tragic incident.

He expressed his sympathy with the palace of the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode, and his subjects who were affected by the incident.

“We thank God that it was not more than tha. May God give the family of the woman who lost her life the fortitude to bear the loss. I have to come since I heard about the incident,” he said.

The governor assured the community that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had been assessing the damage and would provide necessary assistance to the victims.

“SEMA is actively working on the situation and will get the details and send them to the deputy governor whose office is in charge,” he added.

Aiyedatiwa emphasized the government’s readiness to address issues of emergencies and promised to act promptly upon receiving the detailed reports from SEMA.

While highlighting the importance of preventive measures, Governor Aiyedatiwa encouraged residents to plant more trees to mitigate the impact of future disasters.

He expressed gratitude to the community and its traditional ruler for their peaceful coexistence.

Earlier, the Assembly Speaker, Oladiji who was accompanied by the member representing the state constituency, Kolawole Ologede, to inspect the affected areas, visited the palace and assured the people of the government’s prompt attention.

The Speaker said as an arm of government, the House will make recommendations to the appropriate quarters, noting that the devastation affected not only residential areas but also churches and schools.

The lawmaker representing the constituency, Ologede, disclosed that over 200 houses were affected, rendering many homeless.