Former deputy governor and PDP Chieftain in Oyo State,H.E. Alhaji Gbolarumi has sympathised with the Alaafin of Oyo, HRH. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and people of Oyo over the fire incident that gutted the Akesan Market completely early Sunday morning on 5th January,2020, in the ancient town of Oyo.
An inferno at the popular Ancient Akesan Market in Oyo, Oyo State on Saturday razed no fewer than 150 shops and destroyed goods worth millions of Naira.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his visit to Alaafin of Oyo, HRH. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, he decried the condition of the market which he said contributed to the fire outbreak and inability to curtail it on time.
While he said there was need to organise the markets better for the interest of the state, he blamed some of the problems faced by traders in Oyo State on what he called vested interest.
He said “in any place where you have vested interest, it affects the life of the people limiting the state from realising it’s maximum potentials.”
Formal deputy governor described the incident as pathetic and promised that the government would replace buildings and structures lost to the inferno.
He said: “I sympathise with you on this incident, especially you women trying to earn a living and keep body and soul together. This is indeed a very pathetic incident.
“Be assured that our government lead by Governor Seyi Makinde will stand with you at this difficult period and we will help you get back on your business.
Gbolarumi, however, said the incident was a compelling reminder of the need for the traders to insure their businesses against losses.
Gbolarumi, while commending the state‘s fire service, security Agency and Commissioner for Environment, Rt Hon. Kehinde Ayoola for responding adequately to the incident, use the opportunity to urge traders and all residents to always take precautions against fire outbreaks.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all Citizens of Oyo State that this is the dry season. We have two seasons in our state, the rainy season and the dry season.
“The rainy season, where we have the risk of flooding, God has successfully contained that. We are now in the dry season, where we have the risk of fire. “We must be interested in our own safety and security. I appeal to you to stop storing inflammable materials in your homes and business places.
“Residents should cultivate the habit of turning off their electrical appliances not in use. It is the harmattan period and the harmattan wind makes fires easy to start and difficult to contain.
Briefing the former deputy governor on the incident, a withness who didnt want to be named, said the cause of the fire had not been ascertained, but an electrical fault around the market was suspected. He said it was a great challenge putting the fire under control as there were too many illegal structures around the market which limited access of equipment and men to the scene. He said
Gbolarumi was deeply saddened by the destruction of very valuable goods and property in the inferno, and shares in the pain and anguish of all traders who lost their wares and belongings in the unfortunate fire incident.
“He assures those who suffered losses from the fire incident that the Oyo State Government will do all within its powers to support the efforts of those who lost their goods to ameliorate their plight,”
