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.
Nwodo, who was at the market to see the monumental destruction and losses incurred by the traders, was apparently in tears as he went round the shops affected by the inferno.
Visibly shaken by the level of calamity in the market, the Ohaneze boss said he was pained seeing fire still raging inside the market two days after the incident occurred.
He also regretted the number of lives and properties lost to the inferno.
He described the incident as a collective loss to Ndigbo, saying it was the reason he had to abandon other engagement in Abuja to come to commiserate with them.
He said, “What pains me most is that I can still see some flames glowing. One would have expected that the Fire Service and the 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 an 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.”
Responding, chairman of Ochanja Market, Nelson Ojukwu, thanked Nwodo for the visit, which he said showed his sensitivity to the plight of the traders.