A middle-aged woman simply identified as Alhaja Balikis has expressed her sorrow over the loss of ten shops and goods worth millions of naira due to a fire that engulfed over 70 shops at the popular Alesinloye market in the Southwest local government area on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday, leaving all the traders in the market devastated as they continue to assess their losses.
Balikis, who has accepted her fate, explained that the fire started in two shops directly facing the State Fire Service at Alesinloye market.
According to her, the inferno quickly spread from these two shops to encompass more than 70 others.
“Efforts to curtail the spread of the fire to other outlets proved abortive. Men of the Fire services, aside, arriving at the scene of the incident late, there were complaints of inadequate tools, especially tanker trucks.
“Imagine, the Alesinloye outstation of the Fire services can not boast of functional trucks.
“The enormity of the losses recorded would have been prevented, if the men of the Fire services were live to their responsibility.
“At present, no fewer than three affected traders are receiving medical attention at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
“We live on Bank loans. With this incident, our indebtedness to various financial institutions is humongous.
“We are appealing to Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the state to come to our aid.
Meanwhile, the Oyo state government has assured the victims of the inferno of its support.
The Deputy Governor, Barr. Adebayo Lawal during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected section of the market described the incident as unfortunate.
He has ordered an immediate preliminary investigation into the incident which according to him would enable the state government to take decisions in the best interest of those affected.
Also, he has directed the local government chairman, Hon. Kehinde Akande to provide immediate logistics support for the affected traders, while promising them that the state government through the state emergency management agency (OYSEMA) and NEMA, palliatives would be made available for them.
Lawal also implored representatives of the traders and their leadership to quickly present their reports, taking into stock the shops and wares damaged by the inferno, for the state government to expedite measures of intervention.
Also speaking on the incident, the Babaloja of Oyo state, Yekeen Abass has assured the traders of the government’s support.
“Engr Makinde is a listening governor. I will take the issue to him. I am assuring you that you will get a favourable response.
Source : Tribune