The Oyo State Government has expressed sympathy to traders and residents affected by a fire outbreak at Oranyan Market in Ibadan, which reportedly started around midnight and destroyed shops and goods belonging to several traders.
The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, described the incident as a tragic loss that has disrupted the livelihoods of affected traders and created significant hardship for their families.
Several sections of the market were reportedly affected, with traders dealing in gold, furniture, second-hand clothing and other goods among those whose businesses were destroyed by the fire.
Lawal, in a statement issued following the incident, assured the affected traders that the state government would stand with them during the difficult period.
He said emergency response teams had been deployed to assess the extent of the damage and determine the level of assistance required by the victims.
According to him, the government is also putting immediate relief measures in place to support traders who lost their goods and means of livelihood in the incident.
The Acting Governor further stated that the government was committed not only to providing emergency assistance but also to taking steps towards restoring the affected areas of the market.
He said preventive measures would also be considered to reduce the possibility of similar incidents occurring in the future.
Lawal commended the Oyo State Fire Service and other security agencies for their response to the emergency. He urged traders, residents and other members of the community to remain calm while the authorities assess the situation.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of markets to fire outbreaks, particularly where traders store large quantities of goods within shops and commercial structures.
For many of the affected traders, the destruction represents a significant setback because their businesses provide their main source of income and support for their families.
The government’s assessment is expected to provide more information on the extent of the losses and the number of businesses affected.
The authorities are also expected to work with relevant emergency agencies to identify measures that could strengthen fire prevention and emergency response within the market.
The Oyo State Government has assured victims that their concerns will be considered as efforts continue to respond to the disaster.
The Acting Governor appealed to traders and residents to remain hopeful as the government works towards providing support and restoring normal commercial activities in the affected areas.
The fire adds to a series of market fire incidents recorded in Ibadan and other parts of the country, highlighting the importance of effective fire prevention measures and rapid emergency response in busy commercial areas.
For the affected traders at Oranyan Market, attention will now shift towards assessing their losses and determining the support available to help them rebuild their businesses.
The state government has reiterated its commitment to working with emergency agencies and market stakeholders to prevent future disasters and protect the livelihoods of residents.
