Ibadan Explosion: Govt rescue, intervention wasn’t organised

Aftermath the explosion that rocked Ibadan about seven days ago, Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) met today, to assess efforts made since the explosion incident.

Speaking with newsmen on the assessment of government intervention so far, the Chairman of Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA), Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose stated that the intervention was not properly organised.

Explaining further why many of the residents also hold a similar view, Bamgbose said that there were a lot of people who still paid for their medicals and had to treat themselves.

According to him, it would be difficult for someone like him to just walk into a facility without paper evidence that he had legal access to a facility at no cost.

“There wasn’t proper organisation. If you are a decent person and government, say they are going to pay for your accommodation I mean, I am not going to walk into a hotel and say that I am told that -I can stay here.

“I would rather have a paper in my hand that says I can stay here for free and assigned to this hotel.

“Our fear is that government may get shortchanged. How do they know who stayed where. Which makes a chaotic situation. That is why some people would not wait for anybody to take care of the bills. A lot of people are taking care of themselves.

“A lot of people paid for the medical, a lot treated themselves. We have seen so many people who did not go to the designated hospitals.

“Some hospitals treated people without asking for money. Some people that could afford to wait, took themselves to the hospital.

“Some people’s families also paid for their hotel accommodations, Bamgbose explained.

Corroborating the faults of the rescue and intervention efforts put in place in the last seven days, Mr Toyin Salami, the Security Secretary of the DOVG, who also recorded losses recounted how rescue operations were not adequate.

According to Mr Salami, the only thing they did well was to secure the site but in terms of giving first aid, and emotional care, it was not organised.

Chief Dayo Morakinyo, who lives at Ibikunle street also noted that he could not wait for government rescue when the incident happened.

“I and my wife have been sleeping on the floor of our house. When the incident happened, we slept in our car till morning.

“I have started renovation of my house because it does not fall within the 250 meter radius, so I have to repair it by myself, he said in surprising optimism.

Speaking on the efforts by the state government, Bamgbose however applauded the willingness of Oyo state government and Federal government to respond to the emergency situation.

Bamgbose noted, this is a first in Oyo state. I must first appreciate the spirit of the government.

“Oyo state Government is concerned and willing. If you are willing, then the ability can come in.

“We know government that are not even willing. The administration of Oyo state has shown a great deal of willingness.

“Even the Federal government, to my surprise has taken this seriously. All security apparatus collaborated but our best is still ahead, he emphasised.