Gov. Ortom sympathizes with victims of Makurdi modern market fire, donates N50 million

By: Jimin Geoffrey

Governor Samuel Ortom has sympathized with traders whose shops were gutted by fire yesterday at about 7pm.

The Governor who described the incident as unfortunate, regretted the losses incured by the victims and prayed God to open other opportunities for them to make up for the losses.

He however thanked God that no life was lost, even as he reprimanded some restive youths who used the unfortunate incidence to loot, urging them to repent or reap in full measures what they had sown.

He said the inferno was one too many, stressing that Gboko and Wadata Markets had suffered similar disasters with the one of Modern Market being the forth consecutive time.

The Governor while donating fifty million naira to the direct victims of the inferno to cushion the effect said a Commission of Inquiry would be constituted to unravel the frequent causes of the unfortunate incidence and also suggest ways of reconstructing and safeguarding the market from future fire outbreaks.

He commended security agencies and men of the fire service for their prompt responses which curtailed the extent of damage and looting, adding that the board of trustees should meet with relevant government agencies to resolve issues regarding the suspension of union activities with a view to lifting the suspension.

Ter Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga said the disaster was unfortunate and had touched on the economy of the whole state, appealing that government should ensure free access to all parts of the market for prompt response to such occurrences by fire service workers.

He also appealed that the federal government should also assist in order to mitigate the effect and also rebuild the market.

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and supervising Permanent Secretary Bureau of Internal Affairs, Mr. Matthew Uyina and Secretary Board of Trustees of the Market, Mr. Emeka Ofegwu, said the inferno started at about 7pm yesterday and consumed two blocks housing one hundred shops each and destroyed multimillion naira worth of property.