Traders, govt officials shocked by havoc

By Egufe Yafugborhi, Warri

Saturday, April 18 was a day of lamentation in Warri, Delta State. On that fateful day, a fire which started at night had destroyed property and trading wares worth millions of Naira  at Ogbe-Ijoh Market. It was an incident that  left several victims and community leaders attributing the frequent destructive infernos at the busy market to acts of sabotage.

Their suspicion may not be far-fetched. In January, last year, a similar incident left several traders bankrupt. In the latest case, fish sellers were the hardest hit as the fire, first noticed at about 7.30pm that day, started from the market wing where women fish sellers dry (roast) their stock.

Razing of the fish section

*Fire fighters battling the raging fire

It was also gathered that this  is the third time in three years the fish section would be razed.

Impact: Charred remains of fish, onions, crayfish and other products littered the fire scene when Vanguard Metro, VM, visited the following Sunday, with the fire still blazing.  Beverages, baby products and other trade wares were not spared as the fire destroyed over 300 shops.  A victim who gave her name simply as Patience, said she lost over 150 bags of crayfish at N50,000 per bag.  Another trader, Madam Maria, claimed she lost fish valued at N3 million.

Some traders were seen salvaging wares from shops partially affected as smoke and smell of burnt fish products pervaded the atmosphere. The cause  of the fire could not be assertained, but traders attributed the outbreak to the activities of hoodlums who also cashed in on the attendant pandemonium to loot the market.

Mixed suspicions on cause of fire: Some victims whose baskets of fish were consumed spoke anonymously thus:  “We don’t have electricity in the market and none of

Dr. Tony Nwaka consoling the affected traders during his visit to the market

our colleagues left any fire unquenched. So, it can only mean that the fire was an act of sabotage. We suspect that the inferno must have been caused by some  hoodlums because immediately it started they began to break into shops, carting away loots through the adjourning river.”

The victims added that policemen and soldiers drafted to the scene could do little to prevent the looting of stores by desperate criminals in the area.  Chief Samson Mamamu, a community leader in the host Ogbe-Ijoh community, said: “Each time there is fire in that place, I suspect foul play”.

Lucky Oromoni, Chairman, Ogbe-Ijo community, had a contrary view. While lamenting that fire outbreaks have become common every four months at the market, he said: “That Saturday’s fire, which is the worst in the history of this market, was caused by carelessness on the part of traders, especially those that smoke fish.”

It was gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan personally contacted the local fire service to put out the fire. But many told VM that the intervention came too late, too insignificant as much damage had been done before the arrival of fire fighters.

Many of the traders, however, expressed profuse gratitude to fearless fellow traders and residents whose efforts, it was gathered,  prevented the fire from spreading farther and causing more damage.

“The situation could have been better managed and the impact far minimal if the fire fighters had made prompt intervention. They came too late and, hence, could only do little”, one of the victims lamented.

*Section of the market after the inferno

Meanwhile, the traumatised traders had appealed to the state government to assist in rebuilding their razed stores as well as availing them some financial lifeline to resuscitate their businesses.

Oromoni, Ogbe-Ijoh community chairman, appealed to the “state government to help us rebuild the market. This incident occurred because the market is not properly organised and completed. Ogbe-Ijoh people appeal to the incoming administration in the state to build and properly organise the market to forestall future occurrence.”

Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, during a post incidence visit, said the  State Emergency Management body would assess the level of damage with a view to assisting victims bounce back to business.

Nwaka who described the development as a monumental loss told the victims: “Aside relief materials, government will assist in rebuilding this market. Our officials will go round with the market committee for the assessment of your loss. It is a major disaster and we will give it immediate attention.

“The government will also try to resolve any lingering issues and move on to rebuild the market. We cannot console you enough as you have lost your sources of livelihood.”