Victims, survivors and property owners affected by the Bodija explosion in Ibadan have appealed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
This is to ensure that the ₦30 billion released to the state by the Federal Government is used to compensate those still grappling with losses from the incident.
Also, the affected residents urged the state government not to return the funds or divert them entirely to road construction and other infrastructure projects
The appeal was made by the President of the Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA), Dr Muyiwa Bamgbose
The blast occurred on January 16, 2024, in the Dejo Oyelese area of Bodija Estate
It claimed five lives, left several others injured and destroyed properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.
How Issue Of Funding Resurfaced
The issue of funding recently resurfaced following claims by former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose
He stated that the Federal Government had released ₦50 billion to support victims of the explosion.
However, the Oyo State Government clarified that only ₦30 billion has so far been received
Also, the amount remains untouched in the bank pending the release of the outstanding ₦20 billion.
Speaking at the event, which was organised in collaboration with the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG), Dr Bamgbose commended the government for its intervention so far.
However, he stressed the need to revisit cases where compensation was previously reduced due to limited funds.
According to him, some families who lost loved ones are yet to receive any compensation.
Also, others who began rebuilding their homes have been unable to complete the work because of financial constraints.
He urged residents to remain calm while appealing to the government to provide assurance.
Also, he deploy the newly available funds to address outstanding claims, noting that the tragedy was neither planned nor self-inflicted by the victims.
“There is no way anything we do can completely erase the scars, but continued suffering should not be the legacy of this incident,” Bamgbose said.
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Also, he added that visible emotional distress among residents shows the need for urgent intervention.