Onitsha Chemical Explosion : #5b Cash, Goods Lost, 100 Shops Collapsed – President General

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

At least cash and wares estimated to about #5 billion were lost during the chemical explosion that occurred at the drug, (Ogbogwu), section of the Bridgehead market, Onitsha, Anambra State, recently.

Also no fewer than 100 shops were alleged to have collapsed as a result of the inferno that followed suit during the chemical explosion that resulted in the death of seven persons and about 20 that sustained various degrees of injuries.

The President General of the market, Hon. Chinedu Ezekwike, made this disclosure to newsmen Tuesday, while counting the losses incurred as a result of the explosion.

“We have about 100 shops that collapsed during the explosion and raw cash because some traders kept their money in the safes in their shops. On the whole we lost cash and goods worth about #5 billion because there are so many millionaires in the market. Some deal in expensive goods that one can not just easily quantify what they may have lost.

“Some of the victims are still in the hospitals and we visited them at New Hope, White Chapel, Delta hospitals and Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State.

“We urge the State Government, good spirited individuals and groups, including polititcians to come to the rescue of these victims as the harm done to them and the market is beyond our capacity.

“Some who have visited pledged to assist, especially politicians and we urge them to fulfill their pledge as the victims are still begging for help. The damage to the market was enormous that we need this assistance to bounce back,” he pleaded.

Recall that the market was shut for seven consecutive days immediately after the explosion in sympathy for the victims and also to fumigate the market against chemical hazards to the environment that may affect the traders.