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The lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has sponsored a motion aimed at garnering support for victims of the recent explosion in Ibadan and forestalling future occurrences.
Recall that an explosion rocked Ibadan on Tuesday, January 16, killing about seven people and injuring over 75 others.
The explosion, suspected to have been caused by the negligent handling of mining explosives allegedly stored in a private residence, resulted in extensive property damage and displacement of residents.
Despite the prompt response of the Oyo State Police Command and other security agencies, the perpetrators behind this heinous act are yet to be apprehended.
Speaking on his motion, tagged, ‘Motion of Urgent National Importance,’ Alli urged both the Federal Government and Oyo State Government, to establish a committee to investigate the cause of the explosion and propose preventive measures.
He urged the National Assembly to direct the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the affected victims.
The lawmaker also urged the National Assembly to call on the Oyo State Government to support the reconstruction efforts and conduct integrity tests on structures within the vicinity of the incident.
Alli further called on the National Assembly to send a high-powered delegation to assess the damage firsthand, as well as pay condolence visits to Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba (Dr.) Lekan Balogun, and the Oyo State Government.
Meanwhile, Alli’s motion and four other motions bordering on insecurity were merged into a collective motion of the 109 Senators as a motion of national importance.
The other motions sponsored by some senators bordered on the spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry and robberies across the country.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the departed souls.
In solidarity with the people of Nigeria, the Senate called on the Federal Government and security chiefs to intensify efforts in addressing the incessant security challenges.
It also resolved to invite security chiefs to discuss how the burning national issues would be addressed.
The motion serves as a testament to the Senate’s commitment to addressing the needs of the affected communities and prevent future occurrences of such tragic incidents.