The Ondo State Government has commenced the distribution of relief materials to victims of flooding and fire outbreaks across the southern senatorial district of the state.
Speaking during the exercise in Okitipupa on Tuesday, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA), Dr Olayide Adelami, represented by the agency’s Secretary, Mr Aina Richard, commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for approving relief materials for all 18 local government areas.
He said the intervention was designed to cushion the effects of disasters on affected residents.
Adelami urged residents to adopt preventive measures against flooding and dry-season fires, noting that “changing climatic conditions had increased the risk of flooding in areas previously considered safe”.
He disclosed that “ODSEMA provides 10-day weather forecasts to local emergency management committees to improve community preparedness”.
The Deputy Governor also advised residents to “keep drainage channels free of refuse, unplug electrical appliances before leaving home and handle cooking equipment safely”. He urged beneficiaries to use the relief materials judiciously and warned against selling the items.
According to him, the distribution would cover victims of natural disasters in the six local government areas that make up the southern senatorial district.
The exercise is part of the state government’s intervention for more than 7,000 victims of natural disasters across Ondo State.
In his remarks, the Director of Operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for Ondo and Ekiti states, Mr Kaseem Olanrewaju, called for “stronger cooperation between communities and government agencies to minimise disaster risks, prevent loss of lives and property, and ensure that relief materials reached genuine beneficiaries without discrimination”.
The chairmen of Odigbo, Irele and Okitipupa local government areas, Messrs Taiwo Adegoroye, Akinfe Olajide and Andrew Ogunsakin, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for the swift intervention.
They urged residents to maintain clean surroundings and avoid indiscriminate refuse disposal to prevent flooding.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Odunayo Alailedoye, expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa for the assistance, describing it as “a demonstration of concern for residents affected by the disasters”.
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