Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed sympathy with traders and business owners affected by the fire that gutted Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja, on Sunday.
Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency-response systems, particularly the capacity of fire services.
A fire outbreak destroyed shops and goods reportedly worth millions of naira at the plaza, a building materials market opposite Chida Hotel in Jabi.
An eyewitness told the Nigerian Television Authority that the alarm was raised around 3am after a trader received a distress call about the fire.
The eyewitness said the fire destroyed one of his brother-in-law’s two shops and a packing store, with roofing materials worth more than N20m reportedly lost in the blaze.
There were no reported casualties.
Reacting to the incident, Obi said his “heart goes out to the traders, artisans, workers, families and business owners whose goods, investments and livelihoods may have been affected by this unfortunate incident.”
He noted that the losses suffered by the traders represented more than merchandise, noting that they included years of savings, borrowing and sacrifice.
“As a country, we cannot continue to lose businesses and livelihoods repeatedly to preventable disasters. Each time this happens, we gradually lose our productive capacity,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said small businesses were “the backbone of our economy” and that losses suffered by traders could affect their families, workers and communities.
Obi urged authorities to strengthen emergency-response systems, particularly by ensuring that fire services were properly equipped and adequately staffed.
“As we grieve what has happened at Jabi Market, let us not wait for another market to burn before we act. Let this tragedy become a reason to strengthen our emergency-response systems, especially by ensuring that our fire service is properly equipped, adequately staffed and capable of responding swiftly to emergencies.”
“We must protect our small businesses and ensure that Abuja, and indeed Nigeria, becomes a safer place to live, work and invest,” he added.
Obi also prayed for those affected by the incident and emergency responders.
“May God comfort every person affected by this disaster, restore the livelihoods that have been lost, and grant our emergency responders the strength and wisdom required at this difficult moment,” he said.
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