Saddened by last night’s inferno that burnt the popular Akesan market to ashes, the lawmaker representing Oyo Central senatorial district in the Senate, Sen. Teslim Folarin, has sympathized with the people of Oyo Town, especially traders who are affected by the incident.
This is just as the third term senator, who arrives London this morning said he would be cutting short his trip, to return to Nigeria.
I arrived London early this morning to receive the shocking news of a major fire outbreak at Akesan Market of Oyo Town, Oyo State. My heart goes out to those that may have lost properties and livelihoods to the inferno.
It is particularly saddening due to the fact that the Akesan fire, happened just days after three children lost their lives in another fire incident at Molete area of Ibadan, also in Oyo State.
In light of this sad news, I shall be cutting short my foreign trip.
I have already notified officials of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Resources and Disaster Management of this incident. I would ensure that the Federal Government provides adequate relief and support items to those who have lost their livelihoods, properties and wares to the inferno.
I urge the State Government to urgently review the firefighting provisions across the State, particularly those around major markets.
Eyewitnesses from Akesan confirmed that the State Fire Services/Station closet to the market, had little or no water to tackle the blaze. We at the Federal level and the State government must put aside partisan politics and fashion out how best to prevent future fire disasters like this. On rare occasions where there are fire incidents, we must ensure that there are adequate fire fighting equipment and properly trained fire personnel, to tackle the blaze quickly and effectively.
Finally, I urge the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to investigate unconfirmed reports of shooting by the Security Forces, which may have caused the death of two people, while the fire raged.
Sen Teslim Folarin (OFR)
