One injured as ASMATA PG, CLO commiserate with Onitsha market fire victims
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
One person was reported to have sustained severe burns in the fire incident that gutted Ifejirika street market warehouses and buildings and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he was placed on danger list when the President General, PG, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders' Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, visited the scene of the incident to commiserate with the victims.
The Anambra State Chairman of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, also commiserated with the victims in both Ifejirika street, near Onitsha Main market and the Electronics section of Iweka road.
Expressing his heartfelt sympathy, the ASMATA PG reiterated that the inferno would have been averted if his earlier advice to traders were strictly adhered to pointing out that enough security measures must be put in place especially during odd hours.
He described the two fire outbreaks at both Ifejirika street and Electronics section Iweka as unfortunate assuring that he would carry the sad news to the state government with the hope of knowing how to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims some of who have their entire wares destroyed by the raging inferno.
The ASMATA PG who physically visited the Ifejirika street inferno to access the extent of damages lamented that two residential buildings, (four storey and three storey) were gutted by the inferno while two major warehouses were destroyed beyond recognition and millions of naira worth of clothing materials in bails went into ashes.
The State Chairman of CLO, Comrade Ezekwueme, described the fire incidents in the two markets as painful saying, "It is very unfortunate and painful that the fire outbreaks happened at this period of hardship, hyperinflation and insecurity, just as Onitsha Drug Market traders are suffering over closure of their Markets by NAFDAC.
"We appeal to the affected traders to have absolute faith, hope and trust in God who is capable and willing to restore their lost wealth at his own time. There is no doubt in our minds that God will console them and give them grace and fortitude to bear and endure the loss.
"CLO will continue to pray and identify with them at this despicable and devastating period.
We appeal to Anambra State and Federal Governments to devise means of curtailing incessant fire outbreaks in the country and introduce more proactive safety measures by ensuring functional Fire Services, compulsory provisions of fire fighting equipment in all markets, plazas, business premises and houses by landlords.
"CLO equally calls on both Anambra State and Federal Governments, Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies, political class and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected traders at this trying and painful period. It is worthy of note that a friend is known in times of trouble, trials, tribulations and sufferings not in merriments and comforts," he posited.
