Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) has expressed heartfelt sympathy to the traders affected by the devastating fire that engulfed several shops in Ire-Akari Estate Area of Soka and Amuloko market in Ibadan.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.
The Ire-Akari Estate of Soka was plunged into chaos and tension on Monday, January 29, when a fierce inferno destroyed numerous shops.
Similarly, on Saturday, January 20, a fire outbreak in the popular Amuloko market in the Ona-Ara Local Government area of the state resulted in the destruction of at least 10 shops and valuable goods worth millions of naira.
Alli conveyed his sympathy and solidarity with the affected traders as well as the entire community.
He called for swift action from relevant authorities to investigate the causes of the fires and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
Alli expressed deep concern over these incidents, emphasising the detrimental impact on the livelihoods of the affected traders and the local economy.
Recognising the immense losses suffered by the traders, he called on the government to provide swift assistance and relief to help them recover from the devastating effects of the incident.
“It is vital to determine if there were any lapses in safety protocols or negligence that may have contributed to the devastating incidents,” he said.
The lawmaker emphasised the need for preventive measures and improved fire safety practices in markets as well as residential areas to protect lives and properties.
He stressed the need for collaboration between government, private sector and community organisations to support affected traders in rebuilding their businesses as well as livelihoods.
Alli also advocated continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that safety standards are upheld and traders adequately protected from such unfortunate occurrence.
Alli extended sympathies to the traders impacted by the fire, calling for a collective effort to prevent future occurrences.
He urged government to prioritise the safety and well-being of traders by implementing robust fire prevention strategies as well as providing necessary support to help them rebuild their businesses and lives.
