ABA TIMBER MARKET FIRE: GOV OTTI PROMISES TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Timbers worth millions of naira have been destroyed by fire at the popular Ehere Market, on Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba, Abia State.

Speaking during an on-the-spot visit to a section of the market, the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, stressed the need for markets in the state to be built to ensure ease of movement in case of eventualities, especially fire outbreaks.

Governor Otti expressed his displeasure with the manner the market was built and directed the Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area, Dr. Eric Egwuibe, to immediately commence processes towards rebuilding the market.

He assured that fire extinguishers would be procured and placed strategically in the market to enable traders tackle such outbreaks in the future.

According to the Governor, his vision is to ensure that traders operate in a safe environment for trading and assured that government will access the level of damage with a view to supporting them to replace their lost goods.

The Governor, however, inspected an accident scene, on the same Ikot Ekpene Road, some distance away from the market, towards the Aba Waterside.

It was lone accident of a trailer loaded with bags of cement.

He directed the Director General of Greater Aba Development Authority, (GADA), Mr. Uche Ukeje, who accompanied him on the visit to liaise with the police to ensure immediate removal of the damaged trailer.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the driver of the trailer and his conductor were pulled out of the wrecked trailer, which skidded off the main road and slammed into a business building.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU