By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) on Tuesday, declared that over 350 traders and close to 100 shops were totally razed down in the Monday morning fire incident at Bodija international market, Ibadan.
NEMA stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Southwest Zonal office after an on the spot assessment at the Bodija International market
According to the agency, during the inferno, ” food stuffs and other valuable items worth millions of naira were completely destroyed”.
” Over 350 traders were affected while shops closed to 100 were totally razed down by the fire. Food stuffs and other valuable items worth millions of naira were completely destroyed”, it said
NEMA added, “it received a distress call in the early hours of this morning of the fire outbreak at a section of Bodija Market in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. Immediately Zonal office activated and mobilised the Federal and State fire services bring the situation under control.”
It then appealed to the people of Oyo State and the Market Management to establish a mini fire station at Bodija Market as part of DRR strategies to reduce the impact of fire incidences in the market.
“The Agency with other relevant stakeholders was immediately was at the scene of the incident for on-the-spot assessment with a view of ascertaining the extent of damages as well as determine the level of Federal Government intervention required. The Damage & Needs Assessment Team was led Asst. Zonal Coordinator.”
NEMA maintained, ” at the scene of the incident, the Agency commisserate with the affected traders over the sad event on behalf of the Federal Government”
In the statement, NEMA stated that “it was gathered that the incident occurred around 3.00 am in the midnight and no one could ascertain the exact causes of the fire outbreak but suspected that could be as a result of electrical surge.”
“NEMA appealed to the Oyo State and the Market Management to establish a mini fire station at Bodija Market as part of DRR strategies to reduce the impact of fire incidences in the market. The market leaders appreciated NEMA and other Stakeholders for prompt response and seek for Federal Government assistance to enable them return to their economic activities.”
