Bodija explosion: Oyo okays N4.5b for victims

Oyo State Government has approved N4.5 billion as financial support to the survivors and victims of Bodija explosion, which occurred on January 16, 2024.
This decision was taken yesterday at the Executive Council (exco) meeting held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office.
Information Commissioner Prince Dotun Oyelade said the approval was apart from the over N200 million the state government had spent on accommodation, feeding, hospital and security bills, following the tragic incident.
He said the council also approved the recommendation of the 10-man committee to revoke the title of two properties off Adeyi Avenue, scene of the explosion, in the interest of the public, adding that the government should build a monument at the location of the revoked land in memory of the victims.
The exco frowned at the spate of disinformation, half-truths and mischievous lies being peddled by persons purportedly representing the residents on the role the state government had played in the Bodija explosion saga.
“Council said such insinuations are unfair and mischievous and the government will not be discouraged in taking its time to do what is just for her citizens,” Oyelade said.
He said some beneficiaries were engaged in family disputes, which required intervention of the 10-man committee.
The commissioner added that the government would return to the owners, other properties adjoining ground zero to rebuild their homes on the advice of government paid structural engineers.
According to him, the state government will, through the Ministry of Justice, ensure prosecution of the suspects so far arraigned, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the case, but at large.
“During the executive session, the governor advised the citizens to discountenance any rumour concerning the current exco reshuffle.
“The governor said he took the decision to discourage ministerial complacency. He assured the people that he planned to end the tenure of his administration in 2027 with the same zeal with which he started in 2019.
“The governor said he did not plan to drop any member of his exco except anyone found to be distracted.
“He said the decision to reshuffle was done to inject fresh efficiency into the system going forward,” the commissioner added.