Bodija Explosion: Oyo Govt Spent ₦24.6bn on Reconstruction, Says FG’s ₦30bn Yet to Be Accessed
The Oyo State Government has disclosed that it expended about ₦24.6 billion of state funds on the reconstruction and recovery of areas affected by the Bodija explosion, noting that the Federal Government’s approved ₦30 billion intervention fund remains untouched and lodged with First Bank of Nigeria.
The state government made this known while giving an update on efforts taken after the deadly explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, stressing that it acted swiftly to mitigate the impact of the disaster without waiting for federal intervention.
According to the government, immediate response measures, compensation, rebuilding of damaged structures and support for affected residents were funded solely by the state, as federal support only came in November 2024, almost one year after the incident.
“Following the explosion, Nigerians are aware of the swift and sustained efforts of the Oyo State Government, which significantly reduced the impact of the disaster. We did not wait for federal intervention before acting,” the government stated.
It clarified that although the Federal Government approved ₦30 billion as intervention support, the funds have not been accessed, adding that the money is still domiciled with First Bank.
The state government further emphasized that transparency and accountability guided the use of the ₦24.6 billion spent, noting that the priority was to restore normalcy, rebuild affected communities and ensure the safety and welfare of residents.
Reports by national dailies, including Vanguard and Daily Post, had earlier highlighted the proactive role played by the Oyo State Government in managing the aftermath of the Bodija explosion, with commendations for its prompt response and continuous engagement with victims.
The Oyo State Government reiterated its commitment to completing all outstanding reconstruction works and called for cooperation from relevant federal authorities to ensure timely access to the approved intervention funds for further recovery efforts.