A high-powered delegation of the Kwara State Government has visited Igbaja in Ifelodun local government area to sympathize with victims of the recent rainstorm which affected over 80 public and private properties.
Speaking with journalists during the visit, the leader of the delegation and Secretary to the State Government Mamman Saba Jubril (Prof), said: “It is not a happy situation and that is why His Excellency Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has sent us here to commiserate with our people. So, we are sympathizing with them.
“The incident was a natural disaster. We cannot control it but we need to console our people. They should see it as a test of faith.
Our coming here is one of the ways the state government will intervene in assisting the victims by firstly sympathizing with them and offering assistance to cushion the adverse effects of the rainstorm. We pray such won’t reoccur here or elsewhere.”
At the palace of Elese of Igbaja, the Secretary to the State Government said Governor Abdulrazaq shared in the grief of the community and would offer its modest support for the victims.
Responding, the Elese of Igbaja Oba Ahmed Babalola Awuni Arepo III applauded the Governor for sympathizing with the town and readiness to assist the victims of rainstorm.
“We are very grateful to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for sending this delegation to us at this period. We thank him for remembering us. We also remember him always. May God Almighty grant his heart desires.
“We admit that the incident was a natural disaster and it happened at a time when there’s paucity of funds everywhere. Though I am aware some victims have started repairing their properties except public property and some individual houses, we seek government’s intervention in ameliorating their sufferings,” the monarch said.
Other places visited included ECWA Demonstration Primary School; ECWA Theological Seminary; Divisional Police Headquarters Igbaja and Mosunka-ire area where a number of houses were affected.
One of the victims, Johnson Folaranmi, expressed sadness over the ugly incident and sought the support of governments and well-meaning individuals to cushion the effects.
“The rainstorm occurred three days ago at about 11 o’clock in the night. We were panicky and embarrassed. We have never witnessed such a rainstorm before.
“The rainstorm came in another dimension but we thank God that no life was lost. My wife, children, visitors and I came out unhurt. The government has risen up to intervene and assist the poor. I am a retiree from Ifelodun local government and I believe in the mercy of God. We await the assistance of governments, organisations, and well-meaning individuals,” he explained.
Sikirat Shehu