Onitsha fire: Bridge-Head PG lauds Soludo, seeks govt assistance to fire victims

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

The Caretaker President General of Bridge Head Market Onitsha, Anambra State, Hon. Chinedu Ezekwuike popularly known as Akwaeke Umuchu has poured heartfelt encomium on the Executive Governor of Anambra state, His Excellency Professor Chukwuma Soludo for his intervention during the fire incident at Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha.

Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Hon. Ezekwuike who spoke on behalf of his executives and entire Bridge Head Market explained that they were grateful to Anambra State government for their intervention during the unfortunate incident in their Market.

He disclosed that the cause of the inferno was chemical explosion which according to him emanated from Government line inside Ogbogwu Market Onitsha. He also noted that many traders lost their lives, wares, while several shops were badly destroyed.

“When the fire incident  started, we called State government to rescue us. They came to our rescue with fire fighting truck, Catapiler and Escavator machine. They equally came back and fumigated all the Market to avoid traders contaminating  diseases before we commenced businesses activities. We are grateful to them.

“What we are also pleading is for the State Government to assist victims who were badly affected because the damage was enormous and people who lost their shops and wares cannot be able to build their shops and still cope up with their business single handedly.

“We have gone to different hospital which includes; White Chapel, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta Hospital and New Hope Hospital Onitsha where some victims were receiving treatment. Many of them can not afford Hospital bill. We are pleading government to assist and provide fund for them and the families of the dead ones.

The trade union leader further demanded State Government to provide them with CCTV camera, Fire fighting equipment and Solar Light. Saying that the  equipment would compliment their security network in the Market.

” What we said caused the fire out break is chemical explosion but experts said it was not. So, as the leader of the Market, we are planning another strategy that would help us to guide our Market. The affected 4 lines in the Market includes;  Tools and Allied Dealers Association, Ogbogwu Market, Timber line, Progressive Science and Allied Market Association.