Hopes were on Tuesday restored for traders who
lost their valuables in the fire disaster that razed
four buildings at the Balogun market in Lagos Island ,
Monday , following the state government’s promise
to rebuild the structure.
The state Governor, Mr . Babatunde Fashola (SAN )
who was at the scene on Tuesday to assess the
situation , promised to build the affected building
and help traders get back again to business .
Fashola and his entourage arrived the market at
about 12 .30 pm as thousands of traders approached
and solicited his help to enable them recovered their
losses .
The governor described the incident as sad , but
assured that government would stand by the traders
and help them to get back on their businesses .
He urged market leaders to help government identify
those who owned wares in the market to enable
government assist them.
“ We want to know what the estimate of losses is .
You have to liaise with the market leaders . We will
help you . This will also apply to all the plazas
affected . It is impossible for us to count the number
of people while we are here.
“ The Commissioner for Special Duties is here , he will
liaise with all the people and the plazas affected to
have a clear view of the type of businesses they do
and the estimate and we assure you that we help
you , ” Fashola said.
The governor said with what he had gathered so far ,
the fire might have resulted from an electrical surge,
appealing to the people to beware of illegal
connections , especially at this period of dry season
and harmattan .
“ I know there is problem with electricity , but we
must be careful how we use the alternatives
available to us like generators and illegal
connections in order to avoid risk. I appeal to
Lagosians because of the dry season we are in as
there is the risk of fire. You have to stop storing
inflammable materials in your homes and plazas and
switch of any appliances not in use .
“ Harmattan is here , just yesterday ( Monday ), we
responded to 18 fire situations in Lagos. In
November , we bought 32 fire engines , part of which
were used here , we don’t want to be putting out fire ,
we want to prevent fire from happening . You have to
be safety conscious,” he said.