CITIZENS COMPASS —No fewer than 1,000 traders were displaced while a total of 351 shops were razed during fire disaster that affected Ladipo Plank Market at Iganmu Road, Amukoko in the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State in the early hours of Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
This was disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) during its post-disaster assessment on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
NEMA was speaking through its Coordinator, Lagos State Territorial District, Ibrahim Farinloye in a statement who said the 1,000 traders and 351 shops were greatly impacted by the inferno.
Explaining how the figure rose to 1,000, he said, “The shops in addition to 25 attachments were said to be accommodating not less than five traders squatting together.
He quoted the Secretary of the trader’s association, Mr. Sola Oyegoke, who conducted the assessment on behalf of the Baba Loja of the market, Alhaji Ayelabawo Tajudeen.
According to him, the market leader related that the market management always switches off electricity supply to the market at 2000 hours and switches it on at 0800 hours every market day.
“He could not confirm the actual cause of the incident despite all the precautionary measures put in place to avert such an incident.
” He added that the management ensures that all the premises are thoroughly combed to ensure that no naked fire is left before the closure of the market for the day.
” Mr Oyegoke explained that though the market is referred to as Plank market but it has other artisans who have separate sections such as the tailoring/Fashion designers as well as printers that operate there.
” He added that the Association has a membership lists of 1,058 registered members.
” The assessment also noticed two residential buildings close to the market touched by the inferno.
“As at the time of assessment, the traders have cleared all the remains of burnt milling and sewing machines.
” NEMA is imploring Nigerians to be more safety conscious as we are moving into dry season when the atmosphere will be drier with the accompanying challenges.”
