Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has paid an unscheduled visit to victims of the fire incident at a section of the Timber Industrial Market, Umuahia, to see things for himself.
Addressing the victims, the Governor pledged to assist them in rebuilding the market as well as aid in replacing the machines that got burnt during the inferno.
He directed the leadership of the market to come along with a list of equipment and estimate of articles that were lost in the incident to a meeting with him and the Commissioner for Trade & Investment which would be convened on or before Friday this week.
Dr. Ikpeazu while expressing grief over the huge loss occasioned by the fire incident sympathized with the affected traders and described the the fire outbreak as very unfortunate.
While noting that it was a very bad way to begin the year, he however called on the victims not to be discouraged by the incident but forge ahead with their businesses since there was no loss of life.
The State Chief Executive insisted that investigation would be carried out to identify the remote and immediate causes of the inferno as it would help to prevent future occurrences.
He also streessed the need for all to apply caution especially during this harmattan period, as well as encouraged them to be calm and never lose faith in God praying that God would strengthen them to work harder to achieve a better 2020.
Earlier, the Management Committee Chairman of Timber Market, Mr. Austin Onyenweaku who narrated their ordeal, explained the efforts of the men of the Fire Service in trying to salvage the situation on that fateful day but all to no avail.
He disclosed that forty eight (48) machines and a Lister Generating Set were lost including wood and other articles and thanked the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for coming to see things for himself.
Recall that fire engulfed a section of the Timber Market in the early hours 1st of January, where property worth millions of naira got burnt.
The Member representing Umuahia East at the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo was among the Governor’s entourage during the visit.
