Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, on Wednesday in Ibadan, received the report of the committee on disbursement of relief fund to the victims of Bodija explosion of January 2024.
Mr Makinde, while receiving the report, assured that the state government would “quickly” look into the recommendations and implement them as appropriate.
The explosion occurred in a private building in the Adeyi area of Bodija in Ibadan on Jan. 16, 2024.
A number of lives were lost and many houses damaged during the incident, which was blamed on illegal storage of mining devices in a residential house.
Mr Makinde had later on set up on Dec. 24 a 10-man committee for the disbursement of relief fund for the victims of the explosion which occurred across a 14-kilometre radius.
The governor, who was represented at the report presentation by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, assured that the report would be implemented in order to support the victims.
“This will help to bring some sort of relief to them,” he said.
Mr Makinde recalled that the state government responded to the explosion by putting in place several measures, including emergency services and post-explosion support services.
He added that the state dug deep into the root cause of the explosion, which was an unusual incident, particularly in the area where it occurred.
“No one knew that such monumental damage could occur around that high-brow area of Bodija in Ibadan.
“Nevertheless, we keep learning every day. This is why we must not take for granted the issue of security around us.
“I want to assure that this report would be looked into quickly and the recommendations therein would be implemented.
“We know that we do not have the luxury of a further delay in the implementation.
“We will put in all the efforts that will be required for a quick implementation so that victims of the explosion would be assisted,” the governor said.
Speaking earlier during the ceremony, Fatai Owoseni, a member of the committee who stood in for the committee chairman to present the report, said the report was in four volumes.
Mr Owoseni, who is also the special adviser to the governor on security matters, said the committee came up with recommendations on the disbursement and management of the Bodija explosion relief fund.
(NAN)