The Minority Whip and lawmaker representing Akoko Edo I Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Yekini Idiaye, has revealed that a devastating rainstorm in Ojirami, Dagbala, and Ojah communities destroyed over 100 houses, leaving several residents homeless.
Speaking on a motion of urgent public importance during plenary, Idiaye disclosed that some of the victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at health centers.
He said, “The rainstorm destroyed over 100 houses, with many roofs blown off in Ojirami, Ojah, and Dagbala—all in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.”
“The people are traumatized by the destruction of their homes, leaving children, the elderly, and women exposed and vulnerable to harsh weather conditions and possible outbreaks of disease,” he added.
According to Idiaye, hundreds of residents were affected, with cases of injuries, depression, and anxiety reported as victims struggle to survive the harsh conditions.
“Children who should be in school have lost their books and personal belongings to the disaster and are now in desperate need of shelter,” he lamented.
The lawmaker called on the federal, state, and local governments, as well as relief agencies, to urgently conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the rainstorm to enable the provision of immediate palliatives to affected residents.
In separate contributions, two lawmakers confirmed that the rainstorm also wreaked havoc in some communities within their constituencies.
They jointly called on relevant relief authorities to expedite action to cushion the effects of the disaster on the victims.
Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, who sympathized with the victims, emphasized the need for residents to cultivate the habit of planting trees, noting that it would help mitigate the impact of future rainstorm disasters.
The House, in its resolution, called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials and palliatives to the victims.
