Oyo south senatorial candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide Odidiomo, has conducted an on the spot assessment of the destruction caused by a midnight fire at the popular Oranyan market in Ibadan, where hundreds of traders were left counting losses running into millions of naira.
Hon. Olajide Odidiomo, who personally conducted an on the spot assessment of the affected sections on monday, interacted with shop owners and other traders as they took stock of their losses following the inferno which broke out around midnight on sunday.
The fire, which affected the oranyan market in Ibadan North-East local government area of Oyo state, destroyed shops dealing in jewellery, furniture, second hand clothing and other goods. Reports from the scene indicated that nearly 300 shops were affected, although the Oyo state fire services said a definitive figure would only emerge after a proper assessment.
During the interaction, several traders recounted the extent of their losses, explaining that goods accumulated over years of trading had been destroyed within hours.
Addressing traders during the inspection, Hon. Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo expressed concern over the scale of the destruction, noting that the affected businesses represented not only physical structures but the livelihoods, investments and years of effort of families who depended on the market for their economic survival.
Hon. Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo said the recurrence of market fires demanded a coordinated response involving government agencies, market associations and other stakeholders, particularly in the areas of fire prevention, emergency preparedness, rapid response and the provision of basic safety infrastructure.
He said traders who had lost their means of livelihood needed immediate attention and support, urging well meaning individuals, government agencies, corporate organizations and community leaders to rally around the victims as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their businesses.
The interaction gave Odidiomo first hand insight into the immediate difficulties confronting the affected traders, many of whom had lost merchandise, business premises and the working capital on which their livelihoods depended.
Odidiomo said the recurrence of such incidents should prompt a broader conversation on the safety and resilience of markets across Oyo State, stressing that protecting markets was also a way of protecting jobs, household incomes and the local economy.
He assured the traders that he would continue to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders on possible interventions, particularly measures that could assist affected businesses to recover and reduce the likelihood of similar disasters in the future.
The lawmaker further commiserated with the affected traders and their families, urging them not to lose hope despite the magnitude of their losses.
He said the incident was a reminder that effective representation goes beyond legislative activities to include being physically present with the people at critical moments, listening to their concerns and pursuing practical responses to challenges affecting their livelihoods.
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