Oyo to Rebuild Akesan Market, Support Fire Victims

Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde has assured that his administration will rebuild the Akesan market in Oyo East local government government area which was razed by inferno on Sunday.

Makinde gave the promise on Wednesday when he visited the market to access the level of damage done by the fire. The governor also promised to support traders who lost their goods in the fire. He said he has directed the caretaker chairman of the local government, Prince Arowosaye Saheed Adeyemi to provide the list of the affected traders so that the state can compensate them for their loss.

“I must, at this point, stop to express my deep sadness over the recent loss of lives and property because of various fires in Oyo State. One of the more recent, the Akesan Market inferno, is deeply regretted. Things happened that signalled a failure in our systems. I promised to protect the life and property of everyone living within the borders of Oyo State, I take responsibility for this failing. I will make things right.

“Already, we have started the bidding process for 10 new fire trucks. I have also called for investigations into the immediate and remote causes of these fires. We are also rebuilding the market and we will begin a process of providing support to the market people that lost their wares.

“But we also know that something more important than fighting fires is making sure that the fire does not start at all. So, I urge us all, to be a little more safety conscious, especially given the weather conditions that we are experiencing. In a way, we all also want to prevent personal fires in our lives this year and the best way to do that is by setting SMART goals” Makinde said.

The governor was accompanied to the visit by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun; Chief of Staff to the governor, Bisi Ilaka; the Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Kunmi Mustapha; commissioners, special advisers, among other officials.