Traders lament loss of million naira goods in Balogun market fire

Olabisi Kayode-Adedeji  in Lagos

Two shop owners, Mrs. Adijat Ladega and Prince Uche Nwankwo, have recounted their sad experiences over the recent fire that engulfed their storage facilities at Balogun Market in Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

Penpushing reports the unlucky traders said that they lost several goods and items worth millions of naira in the fire incident, which Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, has promised to fish out the perpetrators for appropriate prosecution.

The male trader, Nwankwo expressed fear that he may not return to business soon, having  lost foreign clothes and other goods worth about N50 million, while in the same vein, Mrs. Ladega, co-owner of the textile business with her husband, Mr. Moshood Ladega, emphasized that she lost over N73 million goods in the last January 29 inferno which led to the collapse of six buildings and few others left in dilapidated conditions.

Penpushing further reports that, in an interview shortly after men of the fire service and police prevented access to the fire scene, Ladega said that despite the huge loss recorded by traders she was happy no life perished.

‘I know I lost over N73 million goods, but I am still grateful to Allah that no one died in my family or anyone else among fellow traders or store owners. I don’t know what to do now with this huge loss, but at this moment I’m really devastated beyond comprehension and my only hope now lies in Allah, my Creator.”

The trader – a mother of three girls and one boy – appealed to the Lagos State and Federal Governments to offer necessary financial help to those who suffered losses in the inferno, and further take measures to find solution to incessant fire outbreaks in Balogun market.

“Those of us who lost several millions of naira will need government help, but I am not sure of how that will be possible as often that has not been the case with our governments at all levels. The easy way out for those of us who lost several goods and materials is to get funds from the government’.

‘But, I am not sure that is going to happen because such has never happen in the past.And to borrow money from the banks is not the best idea with huge interests to pay back,” he further said.

Penpushing also reports that,, Mrs. Ladega expressed sadness over the loss lamenting that, she has been facing multiple family problems and the fire disaster added more pains to her life, stating, ‘there are some issues threatening my marriage and family, indeed my children and the fire disaster has made life more miserable for me now,”

The trader who commutes between Ikorodu and Lagos Island to trade her textile business said, ‘at this point, I can only look unto Allah; he is the only solution who can help me and my family out regarding issues facing us.”

Penpushing recalled that, last month fire followed a similar one that occurred on November 5, 2019 in the Balogun Market that razed some buildings and destroyed goods and several items worth millions of naira.

The incidents made it difficult for many of the traders, to return to the market due to inability to raise funds that will make them start their businesses again, while findings revealed that despite promises by the traders association in Lagos to help fellow members, this has not become reality due to constant rift among the them over how to source funds either from the government or the banks, and the sharing formula.