https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qK77Mtlp68

Obaseki explains how arsonists burn Edo markets, attack firefighters

…releases N100m as compensation to Ekiosa inferno victims

The Edo State Government has shed more light on the activities of suspected arsonists, working in cohorts with unscrupulous politicians under the aegis of the disbanded Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), to sabotage markets in Benin metropolis and the state government.

The State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said this when he led members of the state executive council to inspect the extent of damage at Osa market (Ekiosa) and the Edo Development Property Agency (EDPA) after the Sunday, December 22 inferno.

He said that the incident was not an accident, but the handiwork of arsonists out to sabotage markets and discredit government.

The governor, who approved the release of N100 million to compensate traders whose goods were destroyed in the fire incident, noted that it was unfortunate that different markets in the state have been gutted by fire within a short period, a development he attributed to the antics of the enemies of the state.

The governor said intelligence reports indicated that some people who are disgruntled over his reforms and programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the people, were behind the recent infernos in markets.

The governor decried the new dimension of fire incidents in the state, where these suspected arsonists, prevent firefighters from gaining access to markets being gutted by fire.

He said the fire incidents were politically motivated by the disgruntled politicians, who had vowed to make government unbearable for him.

According to him, "They say they want to shame us; they tried other tricks, but did not succeed. They say they will cause havoc during this Yuletide, but their plans will fail.

“You cannot tell me that the fire on the 6th floor of the EDPA building was an accident. It is a clear case of arson. We had passed the market to Edo Central Senatorial District. We got to hear about the fire at about 10am. The Fire Department was sent in from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), but the people attacked them.”

“Last week, when a similar incident occurred, firefighters came in to quell the fire in Oliha market and the people chased them. There is a pattern to what they are doing.

"They should try whatever they like, but we will continue to work for the people of the state; they cannot remove us from Edo,” he said.

He asked the market women association to submit a list of traders whose goods were burnt in the market so they could be compensated, adding, “The traders should come up with a list so we can assist you to start again. The money will be given to you through Sterling Bank.”

The governor said the market would be rebuilt from early 2020, while a section of it would be cleared for the traders to use as a temporary arrangement.

He added that the state government has decided to take over the security of markets from local councils and would work with market associations to secure markets, noting that markets without fire extinguishers and borehole would be shutdown.

Responding to the proposed security framework for markets, the Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawan Jimeta, said he would deploy his men to ensure the success of the arrangement and provide the needed strategic backing.

Good gesture

This sounds very stupid

Handsome governor

You are politicizing arson now.

This man has no political credibility.

Osho baba was right

I want to believe the Obaseki was taken out of context. If not as a chief security officer of a state this is a most irresponsible statement to make. Without a single shred of evidence. It could be the governor setting the markets on fire so as to blame people and gain sympathy. This is desperation taken too far. But let's honestly hope he was taken out of context.

the opposition locked up the water they would have use to quench the fire, and stole the keys of the brown new fire trucks the handsome Excellency Obaseki bought from California!

There should be a limit to political desperation.
Obaseki's stupid statement will come back to haunt him later.

He didn't realize that some people will also think that he burned the market himself so
as to release money and blame his opponents.
SMH for Obaseki.

He's definitely lost the plot. You don't politicize every misfortune. Haba!!!

He said the fire incidents were politically motivated by the disgruntled politicians, who had vowed to make government unbearable for him.

The governor is worse than nairaland conspiracy theorist. Did the fire department investigations rule it arson? This guy need to just read the scripts his public relations person hands him. Focus about fire safety to avoid future incidents. Partisan blame games are stupid.

Front page: Lalasticlala mynd44

Judeerons32:
I want to believe the Obaseki was taken out of context. If not as a chief security officer of a state this is a most irresponsible statement to make. Without a single shred of evidence. It could be the governor setting the markets on fire so as to blame people and gain sympathy. This is desperation taken too far. But let's honestly hope he was taken out of context.

Obaseki was right

Really? Which evidence does he have? Who conducted the investigation and when was it conducted. Do the people who committed it have immunity? Everybody is to blame except the government whose responsibility it is to have a functinal fire department.
My brother or sister we shouldn't play politics with everything even the pains and sorrows of people this Christmas season it is the height insensitivity.

GEJDHERO:
Obaseki was right

I just tire for the man. Lol

tit:
the opposition locked up the water they would have use to quench the fire, and stole the keys of the brown new fire trucks the handsome Excellency Obaseki bought from California!

Lol after all this he won't be able to prosecute anyone.

Judeerons32:
Really? Which evidence does he have? Who conducted the investigation and when was it conducted. Do the people who committed it have immunity? Everybody is to blame except the government whose responsibility it is to have a functinal fire department.
My brother or sister we shouldn't play politics with everything even the pains and sorrows of people this Christmas season it is the height insensitivity.

He is the Chief security officer of the state......He has access to classified info.

Lol.is he the police?whose duty is it to give security briefing. That incident happened in the morning by afternoon he was making that reckless statement. Did the arsonist steal the keys to the fire fighting truck he bought? Cult war has taken the lives of over 40 youth in Edo in the last 3weeks he could not secure the state it is to run his mouth. Talk is cheap. Let him name them, arrest them and prosecute them.
For all we know Obaseki boys may have set those market on fire so as to blame others. Afterall his boys burnt cars on airport road Dec. 12 so a rally could not hold.
We should encourage or excuse bad behavior by politicians. People have lost means or survival this critical period. We should play politics with their pain. Karma is a butch.

GEJDHERO:
He is the Chief security officer of the state......He has access to classified info.

Judeerons32:
Lol.is he the police?whose duty is it to give security briefing. That incident happened in the morning by afternoon he was making that reckless statement. Did the arsonist steal the keys to the fire fighting truck he bought? Cult war has taken the lives of over 40 youth in Edo in the last 3weeks he could not secure the state it is to run his mouth. Talk is cheap. Let him name them, arrest them and prosecute them.
For all we know Obaseki boys may have set those market on fire so as to blame others. Afterall his boys burnt cars on airport road Dec. 12 so a rally could not hold.
We should encourage or excuse bad behavior by politicians. People have lost means or survival this critical period. We should play politics with their pain. Karma is a butch.

Oshiomhole and his kabaka were responsible for the arson

GEJDHERO:
Oshiomhole and his kabaka were responsible for the arson

Yet they're walking free because the useless man can only talk interesting.