Chinedum Treasure
No fewer than ten shops were on Wednesday gutted in an early morning fire in a section of Afor Nnobi local market, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The inferno which occurred around 7.am, was said to be caused by cut off high tension cables that fell on top of make-shift structure, (shop), from where it spread to about 10 shops.
President General, PG, of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna who stormed the scene shortly after the incident, confirmed that no life was lost in the inferno.
He however regretted that properties and wares worth millions of naira were lost to the inferno.
He ordered immediate demolition of all illegal structures built under the high tension in the market
“I thank God that no life was lost. I have been here up to five times last year, telling them to dismantle all the illegal structures built under the high tension but to no avail.
“Today properties and wares estimated into millions of naira have been lost to the inferno.
“Look at the park in the market, they have built make-shift structures in it under high tension. That is why I ordered for the demolition of the illegal structures built there,” he stated.
Also reacting, Chairman of the market, Chief Maduabuchi Ezeoke, confirmed that the traders had severally been warned to stop doing business under the high tension.
Ezeoke who spoke through former taskforce chairman of the market, Chief Mathew Ogboluogu Nwaneli, saiď the unfortunate incident would serve as lesson to the defaulters.
“With this incident it is a lesson to them that building or selling under high tension is a big risk that can result in sudden death.
“When the ASMATA PG was telling them last year not to build shops under high tension they taught he was only being jealous of their business.
” He has ordered that all structures built under high tension will be demolished and you can see that some have started removing them because they have seen that now he is serious.
“Today shops and wares estimated into millions of naira have been lost to the early morning inferno,” he stated.
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