Asaba Market Fire: Buhari Commiserates With Victims, As Minister, Farouq Visits Asaba With Relief Materials

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, commiserated with victims of Ogbeogonogo fire disaster, assuring that they would not bear the burden of the unfortunate incident alone.

This comes as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq on Tuesday June 2, visited Asaba, the state capital 2020 for an on-site visit and to commiserate with the traders.

BIGPEN had reported that goods and valuables worth millions were loss in the fire incident which occured in the early hours of May 26, 2020.

The fire destroyed the livestock and textile sections of the popular market located on Nnebisi road, Asaba.

The Minister was accompanied by the Honourable Minister of State, Labour Festus Keyamo (SAN) and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) AVM Muhammadu Alhaji Muhammed (Rtd.).

Speaking during a tour of the market, the Minister said, “I am deeply saddened and immensely worried to be standing here today to commiserate with traders who have lost wares worth millions of naira in the latest fire incident to rock our nation especially those in the affected sections.

“I want to extend my deepest sympathy and regrets to these hardworking Nigerians who have lost so much to this fire. But I am relieved to hear that no life was lost in the incident. I say relieved because as the popular adage goes, when there is life, there is hope.”

The minister who presented goods and materials to replace what was lost in the fire to various traders at the market, promised that her ministry is working in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders in evolving new strategies for an All-Hazard approach that will prioritize fire prevention and mitigation.

Continuing she noted that “Nigeria has always been beset by fire incidents but it will be very wrong of us to normalise tragedy.

“Early this week, I was in Borno state to commiserate and condole with the Governor and the people of the state over the tragic fire incident that claimed four lives and devastated property at the Muna Albadawy IDP Camp and here we are today bemoaning another fire incident.”

Earlier at the courtesy visit to the governor, the Minister said, “We are here in Delta State at the behest of our President, Mohamadu Buhari who said we should commiserate the traders who lost their products worth millions of naira to the unfortunate fire incdent at the Ogbeogonogo market, here in Asaba. 

“The Nationall Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist these hard working Nigerians whose sources of livelihood were affected by fire.

“We need to let them know that once there is life, there is hope”.

She commended NEMA as well as Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and officials of the state emergency services for their prompt response and efforts to save the market.

“Your Excellency, we are also, commending you and your team for the quick response which gave hope to the people and immediately, we got wind about the incident, we sent relief materials too to the State to cushion the effect of the fire on the people,” she said.

Responding during a courtesy call to the State House, the Governor thanked the Minister for the site visit and commended the humanitarian gesture of providing replacements to the traders for items lost in the fire.

The Governor said, “we want to express our gratitude to you and through you (Minister) to our President. 

“This visit is a thoughtful visit concerning the fire at Ogbeogonogo market.

“We have a warm relationship with NEMA and we are supporting the activities of your Ministry as it concerns assisting the needy in the society.

“As a State government, our youths are participating in different skill acquisition and wealth creation programmes, we have different programmes to support the widows, we also have programmes for the less privileged and the vulnerable. We appreciate this visit”,Okowa added.

Traders received gifts made up of 120 sewing machines, 100 hair dryers, 80 grindng machines, 625 bags of rice, 625 bags of maize, 625 bags of beans, 31 bags of salt, 63 kegs of vegetable oil, 85 cartons of Tin tomatoes, 56 cartons of seasoning, 1,875 bags of cement, 300 bundles of roofing sheets, 300 packs of zinc nails, 625 bags of 3 inches nails and 750 pieces of ceiling boards.