The Oyo State Government has pledged prompt support for victims of the Bode Market fire that destroyed shops and property over the weekend.
The Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, gave the assurance on Monday during a sympathy visit to the market on behalf of Gov. Seyi Makinde.
Barr. Lawal led a delegation of top government officials, including representatives of NEMA and SEMA, to commiserate with traders who lost goods and shops in the inferno.
He said the Makinde administration would always identify with the pains of the people, especially during periods of hardship and distress.
According to him, as a government of the people, we will take practical steps to address the losses in Bode Market.
He said NEMA and SEMA had been directed to assess the level of damage and document shops and property lost.
He added that the agencies would work with Ibadan Northwest Local Government and market leaders to ensure immediate relief.
Noting that this was not the first time the state government was intervening after a market fire, the Deputy Governor said a coordinated list of victims would ensure that only those affected benefit from government support.
“Importantly, your committee should come up with a list of affected shops so that no one will be left out in government’s assistance,” he said.
The deputy governor however urged market leaders and traders to cooperate with the government and other stakeholders to ensure all victims receive support.
He assured that adequate security would be provided in the market to prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the situation.
Security operatives, he added, would be on guard to protect goods and property, urging traders to help maintain law and order.
Barr. Lawal further cautioned youths against taking the law into their own hands, urging them to cooperate with security agencies.
While speaking, the Iyalaje of Ibadanland, Alhaja Sarat Oredola, commended the Oyo State Government for the visit. She said the market, known as _Igba Irumole_, has had security breaches and called on the government to strengthen its security.
Oredola equally appealed for government support and said traders would take responsibility for rebuilding the ancient market.
She noted that people from across the country had come to commiserate with them because of the market’s historic significance.
On his part, the Babaloja of Oyo State, Alhaji Y.K. Abass, said he and other market leaders had been visiting the market to commiserate with traders.
He added that the state government, federal government and market leaders would work together to restore the market.
