The Chairman Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaiji, weekend, hailed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State over his prompt response to the Enugu Timber Market fire.

DAILY POST reports that the inferno, which occurred few days back, destroyed goods and equipment worth millions of naira.

Governor Ugwuanyi had swiftly visited the market where he ordered for the immediate rebuilding of the burnt shops and equally showered cash on the victims to allow them kick-start their lives.

Speaking when he visited the market, Nnaiji, representing Enugu East constituency, said Ugwuanyi’s swift response to the incident was a clear demonstration of leadership.

“I am here to sympathize with the timber dealers over the inferno which gutted their goods and equipment. It is really very painful because I can see a lot equipment destroyed here.

“I was not around when the incident occurred two weeks ago; I have not been myself; that’s why I am here to sympathize with them. I can see a lot of equipment damaged by this fire.

“So, I’m here to share in their loss, to see that all these shops are reconstructed and they will kick-start their life again.

“I thank God that our Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was there just the morning of the incident, and he assured them that of all the support needed to make sure that the place is rebuilt. I am happy to see that they have started the reconstruction of this stalls. We are indeed happy with him magnanimous support to the timber shade traders.

“We have come here to support the governor; we have come to show our own support to His Excellency and to the traders because we work in partnership; we and our governor we don’t have any problem. We are working as a team; that’s the reason I am here.”

On the incessant fire disaster in the market, Nnaji said, “if there is anything we can do to stop it, even in terms of law, I would not mind. But from what they said, they are blaming it on power supply. They said once they have their own transformer, this would not happen again.

“That is why today I have asked them to come and take a 500KVA transformer; the transformer is on ground; it will help them to make sure that this does not happen again. I am also giving N2m donation to the victims to assist them in recovering from the loss.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Kenyatta Timber Dealers’ Association, Mr. Levi Obi disclosed that the recent incident was the fourth in the series.

While blaming the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, for the incident, he said “what happened here is too much for us to bear. All our goods and equipment were totally destroyed by the fire.

“We have been asking the EEDC to dedicate a transformer to us so that we can switch it off when we close for the day but they have not done so. In a place like Abakiliki Timber Market, they have their own transformer and that is why there is hardly fire incident there.”

He equally praised Governor Ugwuanyi, who he said, “came here immediately and gave us succour. Apart from the financial assistance he gave to the victims, he is also the one rebuilding this place.”

Meanwhile, the EEDC had earlier, while sympathizing with the traders, said it was erroneous to blame it for the incident.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/enugu-timber-market-fire-gov-ugwuanyi.html