Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Heebah Kingibe has commiserated with victims of Kaura market in Abuja that was gutted by fire last friday pledging her commitment to facilitating needed support.
A devastating fire outbreak that burnt 44 shops at Kaura Market in Abuja on Friday, August 17, left the traders reeling with agony.
Speaking on behalf of the senator, Comrade John Destiny, head of Kingibe’s Constituency Office, expressed gratitude that no lives were lost and urged traders to remain optimistic about receiving aid.
The senator advised traders to be cautious with electrical appliances to prevent similar incidents.
Two of the victims who spoke, Mercy Nnamani and Chukwuemeka Nwonyi, explained that the fire started when traders had closed and gone home for they day.
“I got a call early Saturday morning that the Kaura Market was on fire. When I got here, I couldn’t believe what I saw; my fully stocked shop had burnt to ashes alongside many others” Nwonyi said, struggling to control his emotion.
The duo said they didn’t know the actual cause of the incident because according to them, nobody explained what happened.
But, one Joy Gimba, who said her sister lost no ferwer than 250 crates of egg in the inferno, explained that there was no light when they closed on the fatefil day of the incident and that the fire started when light was brought back in the area.
Recounting his losses, another victim and Public Relations Officer of the market, Donatus Ndukwe, said he lost two shops in the incident: a plastic shop and kitchen utensils shop, adding that he had just replenished his stock and as such, left with no penny.
Contemplating on the way out, he said, he cannot think of suicide because that is not the best option.
“What this means to me is that I have to start life afresh, this critical time”
He pleaded with government, corporate bodies and individuals to come to their aid, pointing out that there was no way he can overcome the setback, unsupported.
The incident has left traders in distress, with many unable to assess their losses. Senator