Traders whose shops and goods were destroyed by fire at Owode market in Offa, Kwara State, have received financial assistance from the state government.
The state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq donated a sum of N10 million to the Owode marketers whose shops were engulfed by inferno earlier this month.
The government, through the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, made this known during the presentation of a N10 million cheque at the palace of the Olofa of Offaland, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Okikiola.
Recall that the popular market in the ancient town of Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, went up in flames, with property estimated at about N360 million destroyed in the inferno.
It was gathered that the fire outbreak, which affected a section of the market, started at about 2:00am and raged for about five hours before the combined efforts of men from the federal and state fire services could put out the fire.
About 50 shops were burnt in the inferno, while the bustling commercial hub, housing 3,820 shops and 1,180 stands, suffered minimal damage.
It was also gathered that goods, especially foodstuffs, charcoal, and fairly used clothes, worth millions of naira, were lost to the fire.
Reacting to the cash donation, the Olofa of Offa, applauded Governor Abdulrazaq, saying, “When I came around the day it happened, I said Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is a governor for all. He knows everything that is happening here as if he lives in Offa. He hadn’t spoken to me that day, but I had told people he would do something. Just yesterday, I was informed of this relief fund. He will also rebuild the market.
“Our governor is the governor for all Kwara and Kwarans, not just a section of the state. He responds to us all simultaneously. May God continue to guide him. I named him ‘Soludero’ when he emerged; has he not acted likewise? I named him Soludero of Offa for a reason.”
“He has done it again. He has said Offa is his second home and he is proving that to us all. He always delivers whenever he promises Offa anything,” the traditional ruler added.
The monarch also announced his plans to build another market along Offa-Ikotun road. He thereafter advised the marketers to be wary of possible causes of fire incidents to guard against a recurrence.
“If each of you is given N10 million, it won’t be as it would say fire hadn’t engulfed your shops. So, be very careful and look out for possible causes of fire accidents. Pay utmost attention to electricity and charcoal. Let us strive to avoid a repeat,” Oba Okikiola warned.
The Executive Secretary of KSEMA, Moshood Saadu Mogaji, narrated that the agency had come to Offa for an on-the-site assessment on the day of the incident.
“We came down to conduct an assessment as directed by the governor. We did the needful, and the governor, who loves the people of Offa so much, graciously approved a sum of N10 million to the affected traders to bring succour to the affected people.
“Our Permanent Secretary asked us to tell you that he wants the Owode market to become a modern and international market. I, myself, attended the Federal Polytechnic Offa, and we used to buy commodities in Owode market. We thank you all for the warm reception,” he said.
Also, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Offa, Nasirdeen Adegboye, said the state government’s gesture towards the affected traders was not politically motivated.
He said, “Our governor has done well, and our heads swell with pride. We – the Offa APC – therefore thank him through our royal father, the Olofa of Offa. This is not a political time, so you can’t say our governor is using this gesture as a basis for a campaign. He is not campaigning.”
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara and former Commissioner for Enterprise, Water Resources and Energy, Abdulwahab Femi Agbaje Whyte, applauded the state government for pro-activeness and responsiveness.
