Ile Ife Market Fire: Read What Osun Govt Told Affected Traders

The Osun State Government has promised to assist those affected by the recent fire outbreak at Oja Tintun market in Ile Ife.

The State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, said this on Friday.

Lawal, who represented Governor Gboyega Oyetola during a visit to the Chief Francis Oladapo Omoworare Memorial Shopping Complex at Odo-Ogbe Area in Ile-Ife, made the pledge on behalf of the government.

He said the incident was particularly saddening, especially this time when COVID-19 was ravaging the whole world.

The commissioner said Oyetola had been thankful to God with the fact that no loss of life was recorded during the inferno, even though goods worth millions of Naira were lost.

He said: “When there is life, there is hope. But necessary measures will be taken to assist the affected marketers, as soon as the list is compiled and COVID-19 is over.”

Lawal appealed to those affected to take it as God’s will, saying: “God knows the best and will surely make a way out for you.Do not to think more than necessary.”

Earlier, the Babaloja of the New Market, Chief Oladapo Omoworare, lauded God for not allowing them to lose anyone during the incident.

Omoworare urged government to come to the aid of those who lost their goods in the fire outbreak.

One of the affected marketers, who spoke on behalf of others, Chief Olabamiju Aborisade, while speaking to journalists lamented the loss the inferno has brought about.

Aborisade said he on his own lost goods worth almost N25 million, while many others whose shops gut burnt also lost as much.

He said: “I urge government to make it a point of duty to address the issue and have mercy on us.

“Majority of us are on bank and other loans, which we need to pay back, and we have no other means.”

Aniloaded reports that several other state government officials were present during the visit, including commissioners, Special Advisers to the Governor and chairmen of local governments.

Also present were the market’s Iyaloja, Chief Falilat Lawal, as well as several market men and women.