Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, has urged traders and business owners to insure their companies against emergencies.
This was said by Governor Soludo through his representative at the site of the terrible fire event that occurred at Kano Street, next to the Main Market, Onitsha, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The Governor also said that the purpose of the visit was to physically determine the amount of harm caused in order to suggest future preventive measures.
Sympathizing with traders who lost their shops and goods to the inferno, the Governor who thanked God that no life was lost, stated that a meeting between the state government and market leaders will be convened, to seek for a permanent solution.
He also expressed his concern over the security of the lives of traders, stressing enacting policies that would help prevent fire outbreaks in the future.
“If it means every trader at Main Market to have fire extinguishers in their shops, we will put it as a law and enforce compliance. An immediate emergency training must be conducted”, Soludo said.
Also Read: Soludo Tasks Senate Committee on Patronizing Local Innovators As a National Policy
“How many traders have insurance? I have always asked this question. Insurance helps to cushion effect of this nature.
“This is the kind of structure we want to lay and we will get there.
“We will expose you to all these insights because this is what the government have come to do,” the Governor stated.
He regretted that such unfortunate fire mishap has sadly become an annual occurrence in the State and expressed optimism that such will not reoccur, especially during the festive season.
The Governor also highlighted the market’s presence of unlawful constructions, which frequently results in a shortage of emergency exits.
Some market patrons appealed to the State Government to assist them after noticing that the State fire service at the Main Market is not operating.
The Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, his Special Duties counterpart, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa among others accompanied the Deputy Governor on the inspection tour as directed by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
