The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has spoken on the promised compensation to victims of the explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan, the state capital, in 2024.
Governor Makinde spoke on the development in his personal newsletter amid complaints and protest by the victims on Thursday.
He said in the newsletter: “On this day in 2024, we were all shocked by what we now refer to as the Bodija Explosion.
“While properties can be restored, the lives lost are gone forever in the needless tragedy.
“May their souls rest in peace, and may God continue to comfort those they left behind.
“As I stated during my media chat last month, those directly involved in the storage of explosives in that residential area have been arrested, and the case is being prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
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“They are being tried for offences under the Terrorism Prohibition and Prevention Act 2022.
“We know that nothing can bring back those we lost, but we will build a memorial at the site later this year.
“The committee I inaugurated to oversee the disbursement of financial support to victims last month has submitted its report.
“Disbursements will be made within the next two weeks.
“We have also started rehabilitating the roads in the area as part of our efforts to fix some of the damage done.
“We will continue to invest in the security of lives and properties of our people to ensure that preventable disasters like this, do not repeat themselves.
“To this end, I signed Executive Order 001, 2024, on the Safe Handling and Storage of Harmful Substances Within Oyo State.
“But we all need to work together to support the security agencies.
“So, if you see something, please say something so the relevant authorities can do something.”
Makinde also revealed in the statement that he would be participating in a half marathon on Sunday.
He said: “On a personal note, I will be running a half marathon on Sunday.
“You will recall that I revived this personal tradition about two years ago.
“I have spent the last few weeks training for it.”