Following the recent fire at Alesinloye Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State Government has directed a full enumeration and verification of the victims. This directive aims to ensure accurate support is provided to those affected.
Victims of the fire incident have clarified that approximately 90 individuals, not the widely reported 500, were affected by the blaze
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal issued the directive during a meeting on Friday with representatives of the Plastic and Cooler Sellers from Alesinloye Market, who were among the most affected by the fire. He stated that the government would rely on the victims’ own count for accurate figures, as they are best positioned to know who was impacted.
Lawal instructed the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (Oyo SEMA) to conduct the enumeration and verification process diligently. He also cautioned the victims to be mindful of the information they share to avoid confusion and misinformation.
The state government has pledged its support to the victims, with bulldozers already deployed to clear debris and restore order to the site.
“The Seyi Makinde administration is committed to the well-being of its citizens,” Lawal stated, assuring the traders of the government’s cooperation in helping them recover.
He also condemned those attempting to politicize the tragedy, calling it unethical and unreasonable to exploit such a disaster for political gain.
Mrs Taiwo Lawal, Chairperson of the Plastic and Cooler Sellers Association, along with other leaders, met with government officials to express their gratitude for the government’s concern and support. They also appealed to the government to reconsider any plans to demolish the market, requesting instead to be allowed to rebuild their shops themselves.
The Deputy Governor assured the traders that the immediate priority was addressing the aftermath of the fire, with further discussions on the market’s future development to follow. He indicated that the state government, local council authorities, and the traders would be involved in these discussions.
