By Fasilat Lawal
Traders at Araromi Motor Spare Parts, Agodi Gate, Ibadan have appealed to the Oyo State Government and well-meaning individuals for help.
The appeal comes on the heels of last Saturday’s fire outbreak which destroyed goods worth billions of naira.
The traders who spoke with Radio Nigeria during an assessment visit to the market explained that the inferno which started at midnight, completely razed many shops leaving tyres, and waste metals completely burnt.
Some of the traders including Mr Rafiu Akeem, who specializes in iron bending and Alhaja Toyin Ogundijo, an iron seller, lamented that their means of livelihood had been ruined by the fire.
Similarly, Alhaja Toyin Bologade and Mr Waheed Lukman who sell tyres, explained that they lost goods worth millions of naira to the inferno.
In an interview, the President, Ibadan Motor Parts Dealers Unit in the affected market, Alhaji Waheed Gbolagade, popularly known as Pele, said he could not ascertain the cause of the fire outbreak noting that many shops were burnt and properties worth billions of naira destroyed before the arrival of the Fire Service personnel.
While Sympathising with the affected traders, Alhaji Waheed Gbolagade appealed to the state government to come to their aid and provide more equipment to curtail fire disasters in future.
Reacting, Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Fire Reform and Chairman, Fire Service Agency, Dr Marof Akinwande, said men of the Oyo State Fire Service swung into action immediately they got to the scene to avert the spread of the fire to other parts of the market.
Dr Akinwande advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary burning of items during the dry season and ensure electrical appliances are completely switched off when leaving their house to prevent fire outbreaks.
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