Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said that all the properties destroyed during the explosion that rocked some parts of the state capital in Akure would be paid for by the firm which ordered the explosives.
Akeredolu, who stated this during a visit to the scene of the incident where repair work on the road is ongoing, said a proper valuation of all affected properties would be ascertained before the company would be made to pay for the destruction.
The governor, who called for the understanding of the residents of the area, urged them to cooperate with the valuers, with a pledge not to leave them to bear the burden of the explosion alone.
He expressed satisfaction with the repair work on the road which he said was being done through the Direct Labour Agency of the state’s Ministry of Works.
He said the construction became necessary because the road is the only shortest route to access other parts of the country from Akure, saying traffic had to be diverted to the old Bénin-Akure road due to the huge crater on the road by the blast.
It will be recalled that a truck conveying explosives to Auchi, Edo State from Ibadan, Oyo State, caught fire, causing explosion in the area which destroyed many residential, church and school buildings numbering 70 while 13 people were injured.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Lands, Works and Infrastructure, Mr Raimi Aminu, explained that the reconstruction of the road was being done with specifications of the Federal Ministry of Works.
He disclosed that said the construction would be completed within 10 weeks, adding that the Federal Government would pay Ondo State back the cost of fixing the road.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
