By Kayode Olabanji,  Okitipupa

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Respite has come the way of the people of Aiyetoro in Ilaje council area as Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday distributed relief materials to victims of Ayetoro Community in Ilaje Local Government.
Relief materials distributed included; roofing sheets, bags of cement, planks, nails, mattresses, bedsheets clothings, and food items among others
During the formal handing over of the materials to the victims at the naval base, Igbokoda yesterday, Akeredolu reiterated his commitment to partner relevant stakeholders in finding a lasting solution to the sea incursion ravaging Aiyetoro community and other affected areas in Ilaje area of the state.
Akeredolu, represented by his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the World Bank has been involved to fund construction works in Aiyetoro community which would be carried out by the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
Akeredolu said the relief materials would go a long way at mitigating the effect on the people while the government is working on a lasting solution to the scourge with utmost urgency.
His words: “The trend cannot continue. It must be stopped. Giving out palliatives can only mitigate your pains for a short while. It is also not the wish of the present administration that hitherto enterprising and creative people be environmentally hampered from living their lives normally and functioning optimally.”
‘We have invited the attention of relevant stakeholders like the Federal Ministry of Environment, World Bank, etc to the plight of the people of Ayetoro.’
‘We have taken further steps by involving the World Bank to fund the design and construction of works to be carried out by Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP for the benefit of Ayetoro,” he added.
The Governor, who appreciated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for rendering humanitarian assistance to Aiyetoro community, said the state government is holding talks with NDDC to earmark fund in its budget for the completion of Igbokoda Aiyetoro road.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NEMA, Air Vice Marsal Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd), represented by Ekiti Head of Operations, Olusegun Afolayan, gave the assurance that the agency was willing to sustain its synergy with Ondo State Government to explore long term solutions to such natural disasters.
He called for deliberate efforts on disaster risk management and robust collaboration by stakeholders at the community and all levels of government.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chief Iwasanmi Ajijo lauded the state government for bringing succour to the people in such a critical time, pledging that the materials would be put to good use.
Aiyetoro community in Ilaje area of the state has suffered serious sea incursions whereby residential places were taken over by water displacing the residents.