The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Interior to liaise with Oyo State Government to investigate the cause of the inferno at the Araromi Spare Parts Market, Agodi Gate.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ajibola Muraina and 12 others, who expressed grave concern over the plights of 20,000 traders displaced operating in the market.
In his lead debate, Hon. Muraina expressed concern over the inferno that engulfed about 1,222 locked-up shops at the Araromi Auto Spare Parts Market, Agodi-Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State, the largest auto spare parts market in Oyo State at midnight on Friday, April 2, 2021.
He lamented that the unfortunate incident was allegedly triggered by high voltage when electricity supply was restored to the market after several years of blackout.
“The House is concerned that the inferno, the first in 50 years in the market, left a trail of destruction as thousands of auto spare parts, tyres, cables, trailer engines and other auto accessories worth millions of naira were burnt to ashes, and about 20,000 traders displaced.
“The House is also concerned that the inferno has left thousands of people and their dependents, who directly or indirectly earn their means of livelihood jobless and in a state of despair thus impacting adversely on the economic well-being of Oyo State.
“The House is worried that despite the quick response and attempts by the men of Oyo State Fire Service to douse the inferno, their efforts were hampered by the obstruction of the access roads to the epi-centre of the inferno by goods evacuated from the affected shops by some volunteers.
“The House is also worried that the inferno is one incident too many of such fire incidents in major cities in different States in Nigeria in the past three months, considering that there were similar incidents in the central markets of the cities of Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, etc.
To this end, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide palliatives to the affected traders and persons to enable them to renovate their shops and restart their business.
In the bid to address the concerns, the House mandated the Committees on Interior and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
