Why we shunned resettlement camp – Aircrash displaced victims

[MrVan]

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

The Ipaja resettlement camp designated by the Lagos State Government to provide temporary accommodation for the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, residents of  the streets where the DANA Airplane crashed last Sunday in Iju-Ishaga area of the state has remained deserted as the victims refused to return to the camp.

Last Sunday June 3rd, 2012 a Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD-83) with registration number 5N-RAM operated by Dana Airlines Limited from Abuja crashed into five houses on Akande, Poopola Streets, Iju-Ishaga in Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Area of the state, leaving three houses severely damaged and over 153 people killed in the process.

Six persons were declared missing in the buildings as well as leaving 38 persons internally displaced from their various apartment. Five casualties were treated, four of them were discharged immediately while one is said to be still  on admission.

When Saturday Vanguard yesterday visited the supposed relief camp being run by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, there was no single victim of the crash in sight as the coordinator of the centre Mrs. Omowunmi Omotayo conducted Saturday Vanguard round the facilities already prepared for the comfort of the victims on the camp.

According to her, about 18 victims including five children were brought to the centre on the first day  and were promptly resettled to their various rooms and given other necessary materials such as toothpaste, pair of slippers, wrappers toothbrushes among others.

"We gave them breakfast, lunch and dinner but on Tuesday morning, they all left and are yet to return, though, some of them claimed that the distance where the camp is located is too far from their places of work and they would prefer somewhere closer to their working places.

"We are still expecting them back any moment because the state government has adequately provided for their welfare till they would be fully stable, because right now, they are still in shock and not yet in tune with the reality of things on ground. Presently, we have 18 registered displaced victims on camp including five children".

Why we shun relief camp

One of the victims, Mr. Chukwu Ebuka when contacted  on phone  firmly stated that they (displaced people) have left the camp for good because of certain reasons.

Ebuka, who is presently staying in one of his friend's houses around the area close to his work place, said they all decided to leave the camp because it would be too expensive for them to go to work everyday and that it is too far from their offices.

"It is not that they don't have the facility but it is just unbearable for us to stay there. Moreso, we have lost all our valuables and all that we have ever worked for in life.

"We are using this opportunity to appeal to government to come to our aid as soon as possible as we now live on other peoples' goodwill and benevolence because of our plight."

While speaking on the development, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, Mr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said about 38 displaced people were already in camp even as he said those who had deserted the camp would soon return as they were already making the moves.

According to him, the centre will serve as temporary relief camp for the inmates till they are certified to be stable, socially, psychologically, emotionally and physically.

He said adequate arrangement has been put in place to ensure their maximum comfort as the state government has released funds to take care of their welfare in terms of feeding and other necessary needs.

 

Vanguard Nigeria