By Chinyere Nwoye
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), alongside the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, embarked on an assessment tour following a devastating fire outbreak at the Onitsha Urban Building Materials Traders Association Market in Anambra State.
The assessment team, led by Mr. Kingsley Okolo from NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office, said the Agency responded promptly after receiving a distress call about the incident.
According to him, the team was deployed to evaluate the extent of damage and report back to Abuja for necessary intervention.
“We came immediately we got information about the fire outbreak. Our mission is to assess the level of damage and report back to Abuja.
“The Director-General, NEMA commiserates with the victims; We thank God that no life was lost. We are here on a joint assessment with relevant stakeholders to determine how both the federal and state governments can assist.”
The Chairman of the market, Chief Victor Chikodili Ejiofor, expressed appreciation to the Agencies for their swift response, describing the incident as unprecedented.
“I have never seen anything like this before. The fire raged for three days,” he said.
He noted that officials of the Anambra State Fire Service were on ground during the incident, making efforts to contain the flames and prevent further spread.
Ejiofor explained that goods worth billions of naira were destroyed, with about 157 traders displaced as a result of the inferno. He appealed to both federal and state governments for urgent assistance.
“Most of the affected persons are still in shock. We are pleading with the government to support us in any way possible,” he added.
One of the victims, Mr. Okechukwu Izuakor, who deals in executive bathroom accessories, said he lost goods worth over N25 million in the fire.
“I rushed to the market when I was called, but the fire was already out of control. I couldn’t salvage anything,” he lamented, urging emergency agencies to come to their aid.
The cause of the fire was suspected to be an electrical surge.
Chinyere is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
