Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has commiserated with traders at Umuchieze Cattle Market in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the State over a recent fire outbreak that engulfed sections of the market.
Speaking while inspecting the level of damage at the market, Governor Ikpeazu said he would ensure more fire fighting equipment are deployed to help fight fire outbreaks in the State. He informed that his administration is set to establish ultra modern Fire Fighting Stations in the three Senatorial zones of the State to make it easier to fight fire in every part of the State, no matter how remote.
The State Chief Executive also announced the establishment of ASEPA Zone in Umuchieze Market and assured that he would soon name a Sanitation Team in the market and appoint one of the traders as the team leader.
He further invited the executives of the market to a meeting in government House, Umuahia, with the Transition Council Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, member representating Umunneochi State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, to discuss further support to the traders in order to help them recover quickly from the losses they incurred as a result of the inferno.
Dr. Ikpeazu commended the traders for the peace they have maintained in the market and for conducting themselves in an orderly manner. He cautioned them and all Abia residents to be careful how they handle inflammable materials especially during this dry season and expressed appreciation to God that no life was lost, assuring that he would continue to support the traders.
Conducting the Governor round the scene, the Commissioner for Trade & Investment, Dr. Cosmas Ndukwe, narrated how the information of the inferno got to him and the efforts government made to intervene.
Earlier, the Administrative Secretary of the Umuchieze Cattle Market, Prince Awal Hassan, on behalf of the Chairman, Alhaji Anim Umaru, explained that they woke up on the morning of last Friday morning to see that fire has gutted up some sections of the market. He explained that they did all they could to put extinguish the fire but could not do much to save the burnt sections revealing that they lost more than 100 shops and lots of cash . He applauded the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for coming to see things for himself and appealed for his assistance. He assured that they would continue to maintain peace and security in the market.
