Some communities in Ilesa town and Egbedore South Local Government Area of Osun State have appealed to the state government to save them from homelessness.
According to the communities, many landlords have suddenly turned to tenants following the destruction of their houses by a heavy rainfall recently.
Leaders of the community, while addressing The Point, explained that the rain also damaged electricity poles in their areas, a situation that has caused blackouts in the affected areas.
One of the leaders in the Aje community of Egbedore South, Ezekiel Daramola, urged the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, to come to the aid of house owners and tenants in the community, saying, “We want our governor to come and save us from homelessness. Most of our people have lost their houses to rainfall.”
“We also know that building materials, just like other items, have become very expensive in this country. We need financial assistance to be able to fix these damaged houses. We believe that our governor is a listening leader and he will help us,” he said.
Others who spoke from other affected communities, pleaded with the state government to urgently fix the damaged houses and replace the faulty electricity poles.
Meanwhile, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osun State Command, Igbalawole Sotiyo has urged residents of the state to exercise caution and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety, as the state experiences the rainy season.
Sotiyo gave the admonition following the recent heavy rainfall in the state, which resulted in the destruction of electricity poles and significant damage of several houses and shops in Ilesa and Egbedore South.
The NSCDC boss said, after the incident, the command evaluated the damage done at Ilesa East and the report indicates that about six concrete poles fell along University road in Ilesa.
Similarly, in Egbedore South, at Aje market, Eesa Tuntun community, Ejemu Compound, and Ajetunmobi road in Ido-Osun, some electricity poles fell, and roofing sheets of houses and shops were also damaged.
The commandant who enjoined the people of the state to avoid walking or driving near fallen electricity poles or power lines, said the command had contacted the Electricity distribution company in the state for further actions.
He stressed further that the agency remains committed to ensuring public safety, particularly during emergencies and natural disasters.
“As we enter the rainy season, it is imperative that we take proactive measures to ensure our safety and the safety of those around us. We must be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents and damages.
“I want to assure the good people of Osun State that, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is committed to ensuring public safety, as one of the mandates of the corps is crisis management. We will continue to work tirelessly to respond to emergencies and protect members of the public from harm,” Sotiyo said.
