Ochanja Market traders in Onitsha, Anambra State, have recounted their losses in the inferno on Wednesday that destroyed their shops, goods and cash running into millions of naira as well as lives of some people.
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It would be recalled that the accident occurred at Upper Iweka Expressway, Onitsha when a tanker laden with petrol fell into a ditch and spilt its content.
A ball of fire resulted from this incident and quickly spread, which razed structures, including shops.
The market has been shut down for business by traders themselves to clear the debris.
Our correspondent who visited the market reports that traders affected by the inferno were seen clearing the derbies while the surging crowd who thronged the market were seen along the streets of Iweka Road, Ziks Avenue and Ozomagala Street.
One of the affected traders, Godswell Anyanwu, former chief security officer of the market, told our reporter that he lost over N12 million worth of goods. Anyanwu, who deals on electronics, noted with regret that it was painful that no fire fighting vehicle was seen from 1O’clock in the afternoon when the incident happened till 9 pm in the night.
He also said the state government had not provided fire fighting vehicles to markets in the commercial city and none was seen throughout the period the fire lasted.
According to Anyanwu, it was through the private water tanker drivers that helped to provide some assistance to reduced spread of the fire.
Vincent Ugochukwu, another trader, said, “I have never seen a thing like that since I started business here in the market. We saw inside the water channel this dirty black thing that looked like used motor oil which later we heard an explosion and fire spilt into my shop and burnt the goods and other things therein.
“I managed to escape before this happened and this why I am alive today,’’ he said and appealed to the state governor, Willie Obiano to come to their aid.
Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu, president general of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), described the incident as unfortunate.
He, however, said he did not order for the closure of the Ochanja Market, insisting that the market was not closed, but opened for business as usual.
The ASMATA boss, who insisted that he must not be quoted out of context, said the state government had earlier visited the market to sympathize with the traders and has also set up a panel of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
He said he was hopeful that the Governor would compensate the victim of the fire mishap.
He, however, condemned the attitude of some miscreants who throw stones and pebbles on government officials and agents during such incident in the commercial city pointing out that it is not the real traders but criminals among them.
Meanwhile, Governor Obiano, who visited the scene of the fire, sympathised with victims.
He said, “I am saddened and very sorry for what happened. Please be your brother’s keeper in this moment and time. Please remain law-abiding.”
