Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restructuring the Alesinloye Market, Ibadan, to prevent a recurrence of the devastating fire incident that destroyed goods worth millions of Naira in March.
Speaking during an on-the-spot inspection of the market on Tuesday, Governor Makinde described the incident as unfortunate, especially given the presence of a fire station within the market that was unable to contain the inferno. He assured traders that his government would put in place a proper architectural framework to enhance fire prevention and response.
As part of immediate relief efforts, the governor disclosed that the state government has provided palliatives to cushion the impact of the disaster on affected traders.
Governor Makinde also directed the suspension of a planned demolition of a section of the market until a viable alternative is provided for traders. He noted that the state government, in collaboration with Ibadan South-West Local Government and Ibadan South LCDA, would intensify efforts to support traders and mitigate their losses.
“There are two key steps we are taking,” the governor stated. “First, we must properly organize the market. The fire station in the market was unable to contain the incident, which means we need to ensure it is fully functional and equipped to respond effectively to emergencies.”
“Second, I have instructed that the proposed demolition of a section of the market be put on hold until an alternative space is provided for the affected traders. We will be working closely with the local government on this in the coming days to ensure a smooth transition.”
Governor Makinde further emphasized the need for increased public awareness on fire prevention, urging traders to handle flammable materials with caution to avert future disasters.
“It is always better to prevent fire outbreaks than to manage their consequences. We must prioritize safety and enlighten traders on best practices for storing items, especially those prone to fire hazards,” he added.
