Audio: Many Bodija Explosion Victims Still Neglected__ Says Residents Chairman, Bamgbose
Almost two years after the Bodija, Ibadan explosion, residents affected by the January 16, 2024 incident have renewed calls on the Oyo State Government to extend relief and support to victims.
The appeal follows confirmation by the state government that it received ₦30 billion from the Federal Government as an intervention fund for victims of the explosion, with residents demanding greater accountability and transparency in the handling of the funds.
It would be recalled that the explosion, which occurred on Dejo Oyelese Street in Old Bodija Estate, claimed lives, destroyed properties and displaced several families.
The matter recently resurfaced following allegations by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that the Oyo State Government received ₦50 billion from the Federal Government for the incident, a claim the state government denied.
Amid the controversy, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, confirmed that only ₦30 billion was received, stressing that the fund has remained untouched since 2024.
Speaking on the issue, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Communications, Oladayo Ogunbowale, said the state government commenced relief efforts immediately after the explosion using its own resources, noting that some victims were accommodated in hotels for several months and the bills were taken care by the state government.
However, reacting to the claim, Chairman of the Bodija Environment Residents Association (BERA), Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, stated that while some victims received support, families who lost loved ones in the explosion are yet to receive sufficient assistance.
Also reacting, public policy analyst, Akin Agunbiade, who during the incident attended a stakeholders’ meeting with the state government on the intervention funds, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in managing the relief funds.
As discussions continue, affected residents and members of the public are urging the Oyo State Government to ensure comprehensive support for all victims, particularly families of the deceased, while maintaining openness in the management of funds allocated for the Bodija explosion.
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