Traders affected by the petrol tanker fire that ravaged parts of Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Expressway have commended Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his prompt response, as debris clearance and site rehabilitation continue.
The traders, many of whom lost their shops, goods and primary sources of livelihood in the inferno, said the governor’s swift intervention had given them hope of rebuilding their businesses. However, they appealed to the state government to commence the promised reconstruction without further delay.
One of the affected traders, Julie Ologbosere, praised the governor for responding to their appeal shortly after the incident.
“Our baba Okpebholo E do well. When we cry go meet am, he really answer our cry. He say make we no worry. He no even let one week reach, the second day after the fire na he start work for here so,” she said.
Another trader, Yunusa Usman, described the governor as a father to the people of Edo State, expressing gratitude for his prompt intervention and praying for God’s continued blessings upon him.
Similarly, Isaac Orina thanked the governor for his response but urged the government to speed up the rebuilding of the market to enable traders to return to their businesses.
Orina said the fire had made life increasingly difficult for affected traders, many of whom depended entirely on their daily sales for survival.
Meanwhile, businessman and philanthropist, Mr Adun Osamede, popularly known as Bob Izua, visited the market while clearing operations were ongoing and commended the governor’s handling of the situation.
Osamede appealed to the affected traders, particularly the market women, to remain patient while work continued. He also urged them to stay away from the expressway for their safety and to allow the clearing exercise to proceed without disruption.
Governor Okpebholo had earlier visited the affected market and promised that reconstruction would commence within one week, raising hopes among traders eager to recover from the devastating incident.
The fire reportedly followed a petrol tanker explosion at Oluku Junction last Thursday, leaving several traders with significant losses and disrupting commercial activities in the area.
As clearing operations continue, the affected traders say they are hopeful that the governor will fulfil his promise, allowing them to rebuild their shops, resume trading and gradually recover their lost livelihoods.
