“Settle Us, Forget Roads for Now” – Explosion Victims Eye N30bn FG Palliative

By Our Reporter

Families of victims and property owners affected by the devastating Bodija explosion have issued a pointed appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde: pause the infrastructure projects and prioritize the people.

Speaking at the second-anniversary memorial of the tragedy on Tuesday, the residents urged the state government not to sink the entire N30 billion Federal Government intervention fund into road construction while victims remain undercompensated.

The call was made by the President of the Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA), Dr. Muyiwa Bamgbose, who insisted that the welfare of the survivors—many of whom are still homeless or grieving—must take precedence over physical infrastructure.

“Pay Us Our Balance” Bamgbose reminded the government that during the initial compensation phase, payouts to victims were drastically slashed because the state claimed it had limited resources. He argued that with N30 billion now confirmed to be sitting in the state’s account, there is no excuse for leaving victims shortchanged.

“When we were in the committee meetings reviewing issues… the information available at the time showed that there was not enough money. As a result, figures were cut down,” Bamgbose explained.

“However, we now hear that there are funds available. Our appeal, therefore, is that… they should not be returned or used entirely for roads or other projects. The people who are hurting should be supported.”

The association president painted a grim picture of the current reality for many residents, noting that despite the time passed, some families who lost loved ones “have not received anything,” while others abandoned reconstruction of their homes due to lack of funds.

Responding on behalf of Governor Makinde, the Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Demola Omotoso, assured the victims that the government’s commitment to them is unwavering.

While not explicitly promising to divert the infrastructure funds, Omotoso stated, “Until we see smiles on the faces of the people, we are not done yet.” He maintained that the government had been spending its own resources long before the federal funds arrived and would continue to prioritize the well-being of the citizens.

PeopleOverRoads #BodijaExplosion #N30bn #JusticeForBodija #SeyiMakinde #PayUsFirst #Ibadan #NaijaNews #OyoState