By Chinyere Nwoye :
Anambra State Government has ordered for the immediate closure of Ogbo Ogwu market, Onitsha, following yesterday’s fire incident that claimed lives and properties.
The incident which marketers said was as a result of chemical explosion affected about 80 shops and destroyed goods worth millions of naira.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim who was on an on the spot assessment of the science and lab line to ascertain the level of damage announced the closure. He said it would enable the State Government to further investigate the cause of the incident.
“A lot of safety measures must be taken at the moment to protect the market from further explosions and as you can see, we are trying to clear the market; excavators have been busy clearing the rubles.
“People need to be moved out of the market in order to gain access into the market and probably rescue persons who may have been trapped under collapsed structures.”
Dr. Ibezim added that arrangements would be made for headcounts and further investigation to the actual chemical that led to the explosion would also be done.
“One person’s life is more important to us than all the goods in the market; if it means bringing down some buildings we don’t mind and that is why His Excellency Prof. Charles Soludo sent me here,” He noted.
He commended Anambra State Fire Service Director, Engr. Martin Agbili for the prompt response of his men to the scene.
The Deputy Governor also praised the efforts of the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, the State Emergency Management Agency Team (SEMA) and the Commission for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike.
