Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has ordered an investigation into the recurring fire outbreaks at Sabo Market in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, while assuring traders affected by the latest inferno of government support.
The governor gave the assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the market on Tuesday following the August 12 fire incident that destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Aiyedatiwa sympathized with the victims and expressed gratitude that no lives were lost despite the extensive damage caused by the fire.
He commended firefighters and residents for their swift response, which helped prevent the blaze from spreading to other sections of the market.
“A lot of valuables have been lost, but no life was lost. Our men responded promptly with the support of people in the neighbourhood to ensure that the fire was put out,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that officials of the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency had already visited the market to assess the level of destruction and compile details of affected traders, assuring that government intervention would follow the completion of the assessment.
According to him, the agency is documenting losses suffered by victims to enable the government provide necessary support.
The governor also urged traders and residents to adopt preventive measures against fire outbreaks by ensuring that electrical appliances and other potential sources of fire are switched off before leaving their shops or retiring to bed.
Addressing concerns over inadequate water supply that reportedly hampered firefighting efforts, Aiyedatiwa directed the Ministry of Water Resources, Hygiene and Sanitation to identify suitable locations for borehole projects within the market area.
He said the boreholes would not only improve access to water for traders and residents but also enhance emergency response during future fire incidents.
The governor further commended the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Taiwo Michael Adegoroye, for his prompt response to the incident and encouraged him to identify other areas requiring state government intervention.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, revealed that the government would investigate the underlying causes of the latest fire outbreak.
Takuro noted that the incident was the third fire outbreak recorded at the market within the last two years, with previous incidents yet to be conclusively explained.
“It is important for us to get to the root of these recurring incidents so that we can determine the necessary steps to prevent future occurrences,” he said.
Also speaking, Adegoroye described Sabo Market as one of the most important commercial hubs in Ondo State, noting its significant contribution to the internally generated revenue of both the state and local government.
On behalf of the affected traders, the Iyaloja of Ore, Chief Eniola Ogunlana, described the incident as devastating and appealed to the state government to provide assistance to victims whose livelihoods were affected by the disaster.
The visit underscored the state government’s commitment to supporting victims while seeking lasting solutions to the recurring fire outbreaks at the market.