GOV OBIANO SETS UP COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE NKWO OGBE IHIALA MARKET FIRE
REPORTER: ONYINYE CHIJIOBI
A panel of enquiry to look into the root cause of the fire outbreak that destroyed millions of naira at Nkwo Ogbe Market Ihiala has been set up.
Also, a fire truck is to be stationed at the market to prevent future occurrence.
Governor Willie Obiano stated this when he visited the area to commiserated with victims of the unfortunate fire incident, which occurred on Sunday, October 17, 2021.
Radio Nigeria gathered that panel would be head by Mrs. Joy Ulasi, while other members are the Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Paschal Agbodike; the member representing Ihiala Constituency One, Mr. Chidi Udemmadu; the State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Uche Okafor; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Creative Security, Mr. Ben Chiobi; Anambra State Fire Chief, Mr. Martin Agbili; Nkwo Ogbe Market Chairman, Mr. Cyril Onyedibe and the Police Area Commander in the area.
Governor Willie Obiano while commiserating with those who lost their property to the fire incident, tasked the panel to find out the immediate causes of the fire incident and make recommendations to the government.
He gave the panel one month to submit its findings and profer solutions.
Meanwhile, the Governor assured the traders that a fire truck would be stationed at the market to forestall future recurrence.
He directed the panel to ascertain how many shops that were affected and suggest how best government could help those who lost their wares.
The Governor also commended the police and the community members, who helped to put off the fire and secure some of the goods from looters.
The State Fire Chief, Mr. Martin Agbili, had earlier said that they recieved a distress call through the Divisional Police Officer in Ihiala, after which they mobilized fire fighting equipments from Nnewi, being the closest fire station to the scene.
He explained that by the time they arrived, the fire had already advanced.
The Chairman of Nkwo Ogbe Market, Mr. Cyril Onyedibe, whose provision shop was also razed, explained that but for the rain and the intervention of the the state fire service, it would have been worse.
He commended the Governor for coming to have first hand knowledge of the incident.
The Governor was accompanied to the sence of the fire outbreak by the members representing Ihiala constituencies at the state House of Assembly, Commissioner for Information, his Trade and Commerce counterpart and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala; while the State Fire Chief, Mr. Martin Agbili, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng Eworo among others were on ground to recieve them.