Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has visited Ehere Timber Market Aba, which went up in flames Monday night.
The cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained.
Although no life was lost, goods especially timber worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Governor Alex Otti, during the visit sympathised with traders over the disaster and promised Government support for the affected traders.
He also ordered immediate remodeling and reconstruction of the market to make it more convenient for trading activities.
The Governor expressed dissatisfaction with the poor design of the market which made it easy for fire to easily spread from one shop to the other.
He emphasised the need for markets to be properly designed, and built to allow for ease of movement, especially in the event of fire outbreak or any other disaster.
The Governor specifically directed the Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, Dr Eric Egwuibe, to immediately begin the process of rebuilding the market.
He said: “What we will do is to assess the level of damage. We will also through the Mayor begin the process of rebuilding this place.
“I think the way the market is makes it susceptible to fire incident. You know, where you have wood, you have saw dust; these are very expensive woods, and so we need to ensure there are fire extinguishers in all the shops around here.
“We also want the shops to be properly built because the way it is, it is easy to conduct fire to other shops. Even the way the entire place looks, it is not very decent and very inviting. I will like you to trade in an environment that is conducive.
“So I’m giving an instruction to the Mayor to assess the level of damage and begin the process of rebuilding, bring down all those ramshackle buildings and build proper shops for all of you.”
He, however, thanked God that no life was lost during the inferno, noting that on getting information about the disaster, he quickly alerted men of the Homeland Security and Fire Service to help put out the fire.
Otti promised that Government would make available fire extinguishers to be placed strategically in the market for prompt response in the event of any future fire outbreak.
Government Otti assured that Government would not allow traders affected by the inferno to go out of business, adding that details of the support will be sorted out soon.
“One thing I can assure you is that if you do have a shop here, you will not lose your shop. We also know that this damage would have cost a lot of loss to the owners. By the time we do the assessment, we will see how we can support them,” Otti assured.
