Traders at the popular Karu Market in the nation’s capital, Abuja have been left in tears, sorrow and financial pain as they count their losses due the inferno which engulfed the market Thursday night, destroying goods worth millions of Naira.
Blueprint Weekend visit to the scene Friday showed that the market was closed to business as some traders were seen crying and trying to clear the debris of the remains from their shops. While some lamented about how to start afresh, others sat in clusters thanking God that no life was lost to the inferno.
A trader, Mr. Joakim Igweh who is into sale of kitchen utensils for the past 15 years, lamented that he had lost wares worth over N15 million.
Igweh said he was called back to the market about 8.00 pm when it was too late to salvage anything from his shop.
“I lost kitchen utensils worth millions of Naira, I was called at about 8.00 pm, it was already late before I could run here, the fire was already out of control, and all the shops were seriously on fire. My prayer is that the government should come to our rescue,” he said.
Emmanuel Ogaranya, another trader said: “I have been selling provisions in this market in the past 15 years, but look at it now, I have lost over N 10 million in this fire incident.”
Emmanuel, who was also grossly affected by the Karu inferno said that someone called him on Thursday night after the close of business that the Karu market was on fire and that his shop was grossly affected.
Meanwhile, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairman, Hon. Zakka Maikalangu, Friday morning alongside the Speaker of AMAC, Hon. Mathew Yari, PDP AMAC chairman, Chief Godibeg Egbe and other stakeholders, visited the burnt market, promised relief package for the victims of the fire incident to enable them bounce back.
Maikalangu disclosed that he would direct the Council’s Emergency Management immediately to visit the burnt market for enumeration.
On their part, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) said that lack of access caused the delay in putting out the fire at the Karu market in Abuja on Thursday.
FEMD acting director-general, Florence Wenegieme, said this in a statement on Friday.
Ms Wenegieme underscored the need for fire service personnel and trucks to access market, public, and private buildings during fire outbreaks for quick interventions to reduce losses.
She said the fire started around 6:30 p.m. but was controlled by the combined team of FEMD, FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service and Julius Berger Fire Service.
