President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo has expressed disappointment over negligence of fire fighters at the Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra state during the fire explosion that engulfed the market.
He said he was pained seeing fire still raging inside the market two days after the incident occurred.
A section of the market was razed after a tanker reportedly fell and went up in flames after spilling its content within the area.
Speaking during a visit to the market with the state chairman, Damian Okeke Ogene, Nwodo also regretted the number of lives and property lost to the inferno.
He said he had to cut short his trip to Abuja where he led a delegation of South East governors and other stakeholders to meet with President Buhari over the Enugu airport in view of the importance he attached to the incident.
He said, “What pains me most is that I can still see some flames glowing. One would have expected that the Fire Service, Ministry of works should all be present till now.
“These buildings that constitute carnage and can fall at anytime could have been cordoned off so as to prevent people from coming close to avoid more casualties.
“I’m appalled that those paid for their jobs are not doing them. I’m glad the press is here to help me take the news to the world.”
Appreciating the benevolence of Delta State government and others that assisted in containing the fire, Nwodo appealed to them to return back to site to complete the work they started.
Nwodo added, “What happened to you happened to the entire Igbo race. Your cry is our cry, please accept our condolences and see it as act of God.
“I’ll do a letter to the state governor emphasising that those of you who have lost huge capital are given the enablement to go back to business.
“He should also ensure that those who lost their loved ones are assisted in giving befitting burial so they have reasons not to regret over such calamities.
Responding, President ochanja central market, Nelson Ojukwu thanked the Ohaneze Ndigbo leader for the visit, expressing optimism that he would make good his promises.