Peter Obi, on Thursday urged the Anambra state government to thoroughly investigate the cause of Onitsha market fire disaster which destroyed yet to be estimated amount of goods.
Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election and former Anambra State Governor, while commiserating with the victims, also called for measures to safeguard the market from future fire incidents
In a statement on his X handle, Obi described the incident as ” deeply distressing”.
A fire outbreak at the Iweka Electronics Market in Onitsha, on Tuesday night destroyed shops and goods, whose actual values are yet to be estimated at the market located along the popular Iweka Road, close to Ochanja market in Onitsha.
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The fire, which started at 08:30pm on Tuesday, razed shops that had furniture materials such as leathers, foams, and others.
The Labour Party leader also described it as “another devastating blow to the hardworking and industrious traders who form the backbone of our economy”.
Obi committed with the victims, adding that” my thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with all those affected—individuals who have lost their goods, their means of livelihood, and in some cases, years of hard work.
He noted that at “a time when economic hardship continues to weigh heavily on our people, such tragedies are even more painful.
“I urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and to put in place preventive measures to avoid future occurrences.
He therefore, prayed that those affected find strength to rebuild, and may we, as a people, always stand together in solidarity during such trying times.
