Oyo State Acting Governor, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, on Monday paid an assessment visit to the Jankara Iso Arobo Market in Oranyan, Ibadan, which was razed by fire on Sunday. He sympathized with traders who lost goods and property in the incident.
Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Oyo State in a statement said Bar Lawal who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Trade, Investments and Cooperatives, Prof. Salihu Adelabu; Commissioner for Information and Public Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade; officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); and the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), assured shop owners and traders that the state government would provide adequate intervention and support.
Received by the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abbas, alongside market leaders, Lawal lamented the scale of destruction and pledged a thorough investigation to determine the cause and extent of the damage.
Expressing gratitude that no life was lost, he said: “We must thank God Almighty that despite the magnitude of the inferno, no life was lost. From different accounts, the fire started around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday and continued until the early hours of Monday. The extent of the damage is massive.”
He explained that the visit was to commiserate with traders, assess the situation firsthand, and gather accurate information on the number of stalls and traders affected to guide government assistance.
“I came along with NEMA and SEMA officials, as well as commissioners, to help assess the extent of damage. This will enable recommendations to both the state and federal governments for necessary support,” he stated.
Lawal added that the government would work closely with the Babaloja-General to obtain precise data on those affected. “Alhaji Yekeen Abbas will liaise with traders to ensure no stone is left unturned in determining the number of stalls and people affected, and in identifying the support required,” he concluded.
