OYO GOVERNMENT TO RECONSTRUCT BURNT AKESAN MARKET, PLEDGES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS
Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has promised that the Government would rebuild the Akesan Market in Oyo and also provide support to all victims of last Sunday’s fire incident, which razed the popular 400 year old market.
Penpushing reports that the Governor, stated this on Wednesday while inspecting the site of the inferno, saying that rather than engage in buck-passing over the failure of the past administration to provide necessary fire-fighting tools, he would take responsibility for the failure of the system.
The Governor expressed deep regret over the unfortunate fire incident, noting that an investigative panel had already been set up to look into both the remote and immediate causes of the inferno.
Hear him, “at this point, I want to express my deep sadness over the loss of lives and property because of the various fire outbreaks in Oyo State. This is deeply regretted. Of course, things happen that signal the failure in our system. I swore to an oath to protect the lives and property of everyone living within the borders of this State, so I take full responsibility for this failure and promise that I will make things right,” the Governor said.
Penpushing further reports that, Makinde assured that, victims who lost their properties and businesses to the inferno would be provided with financial support in order to enable them to have a swift bounce back into business, so that the economy of the zone would not suffer a downturn.
The Governor said the Government has commenced the process of acquiring additional 10 fire-fighting trucks to boost fire-fighting services in the State, while also urging residents to be safety-conscious with regards to prevention of fire outbreaks considering the current weather condition.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi while speaking during the Governor’s visit, said that he believed Governor Makinde would fulfill his promise to rebuild the market, noting that he was rest assured that the Governor meant well for Oyo State.
Penpushing also reports that the monarch, who went into a brief history of the market, called on the Government to consider returning the market to the Palace for control and management as it was in the past, for effective management.
“Whoever thinks he won’t cooperate with the Government will have himself to blame. We understand that nobody can deceive us, it is whatever the Governor discusses with us that we will accept. And by God’s grace, he will fulfill his promise,” Alaafin said.
