A total of 8,046 people were affected by fire and wind storm disasters between January and February 2015 in three South West states.
This was disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency.
Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun States recorded the figures in seven major incidents, the agency said in a statement Sunday.
Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA South West Spokesperson, said that 1,064 persons were affected in Lagos.
“Iwaya community recorded 652 persons while Berlin Street, Marina fire disasters with 412 traders have been provided with plenteous relief materials by NEMA through Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),” Mr. Farinloye said. “In Ogun State, Igbo Aje Market, Ilaro of Yewa South of the State had 306 traders affected by a market fire outbreak that occurred on the 27th January, 2015.”
Oyo State recorded the highest number of victims, according to NEMA, with 6,676 persons affected in four different wind and rainstorm incidents in 6 communities.
The communities include Ilaro in Afijio Local Government Area (LGA); Lagbondoke and Agunpopo communities in Atiba LGA; Irewole and Isokan communities in Oyo West LGA; and Oko town in Surulere LGA.
All the incidents occurred between February 9 and 10, according to Mr. Farinloye.
“The assessment of extent of damages showed that two persons were injured in Irewole Community of Oyo West LGA”, he said. “One thousand, two hundred and fifty one shops were affected in all the three states”.
The federal government agency further stated that it had delivered relief materials to victims of fire disaster at Iwaya Community in Yaba local council of Lagos through the Lagos State Government agency.
According to NEMA, the food and non-food relief material include 300 bags of cement, 400 bundles of roofing sheets, 500 pieces of wax prints for women, 200 pieces of Guinea Brocade for men, 100 pieces of children’s wears, 100 bags of garri, and 40 cartons of 3 in 1 tea.
Others are 60 packets of zinc nails, 60 bags of 3’inches nails, 150 bags of rice, 500 pieces of blankets, 500 pieces of mosquito-treated net and other assorted consumables.
The material had been handed over to LASEMA for distribution to the Iwaya community fire disaster victims in conjunction with their respective local government and community authorities”, the agency said.
“Also, NEMA has released 400 bags of cements, 300 bundles of roofing sheets, 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of garri, 250 pieces of Mosquitoes treated nets, 500 ceiling boards, 100 bags of 3 inches nails, 20 bags of sugar and 75 cartons of Indomie to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to be distributed to the victims of Fire disaster at Berlin Street, Marina, Lagos”, Mr. Farinloye said.
“NEMA is imploring Nigerians to embark on tree planting as a measure to guard against wind/rainstorm as well as prevent soil erosion while creating serene environment for living of all”.