Governor Seyi Makinde has said that the State Government would rebuild the Akesan Market, Oyo and also provide support to all victims of the recent fire incident, which razed the popular 400 year old market.
The governor, who stated this at the site of the inferno and at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, said 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.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde, who expressed deep regret over the unfortunate fire incident, noted that an investigative panel had already been set up to look into both the remote and immediate causes of the inferno.
“I must, at this point, 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.
According to him, victims who lost their properties and businesses to the inferno would be provided with financial support in order to enable them 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.
While speaking during the governor’s visit, Oba Adeyemi said 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.
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 and 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,” the Alaafin said.
REMI FEYISIPO,Ibadan
