Lagos to give financial aids to Balogun market fire victims

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, says the state government will work out some financial aids to traders who lost their shops and goods to Monday’s fire at the popular Balogun

market on Lagos Island to enable them return to business.

Over 150 shops and goods estimated at millions of naira were destroyed on Monday during a fire outbreak which sent hundreds of traders scampering to different directions in the bid to save their lives and rescue goods trapped in the affected shops.

Fashola during a visit to the market, Tuesday, explained that the government will be working with the market leadership to verify losses and pay compensation as soon as the enumeration of the traders is completed. He, however, cautioned the traders and residents to desist from habits that promote fire outbreaks, saying in the last few weeks about 18 fire incidences had been recorded in the state.

“Residents should cultivate the habit of turning off their electrical appliances not in use. It is the harmattan period and the harmattan wind makes fire easy to start and difficult to contain. As at yesterday, we were dealing with 18 fire incidents. That should tell anyone that a lot more precautions are needed this season,” said the governor.

Sympathising with the victims, Fashola described the incident as pathetic, assuring also that the burnt shops would be rebuilt.

“I sympathise with you on this incident, especially you women trying to earn a living and keep body and soul together. Be assured that our government will stand with you at this difficult period and we will help you get back on your business; that is the reason I have come with the commissioner for special duties.

“I am working with the Iya Oloja (woman market leader) and others to authenticate all legitimate losses to the incident and this will apply to all affected in all the plazas. Once everyone has been identified, we will do our best to put you back to business and that will include replacing as many destroyed properties and buildings as possible,” he said.