Owode Market In Offa Razed

Owode market in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has been gutted by fire, with millions of goods perishing during the inferno.

The fire was said to have started around 11PM and lasted for nearly five hours before it was finally put off by men of the state fire service.

The fire incident is the second in ten years and could be described as a devastating one with nearly 200 shops affected.

The shops, which were constructed mostly in planks and old mud, were completely razed.

When Channels Television visited the site, it was a sorry sight as some of the shop owners were seen trying to salvage the remains of their burnt goods while other victims gathered in groups with relatives and friends condoling one another over their losses.

The victims, who could not ascertain the cause of the fire, however, pleaded with the state government to help them recover from the losses. They also want the government to rebuild the market in modern structures.

Kwara Governor Visits

With the reaction of the State Government, succour may be on the way for the people who have lost properties and means of livelihood after the fire disaster.

The Governor of Kwara State, Mr Abdulfatah Ahmed, alongside members of his cabinet and local council officials visited the site of the fire accident where he promised to help to rebuild the market and help those who have lost their properties.

He promised that his government would collaborate with Offa Local Government Council to ensure that the victims get soft loans to start afresh, while the public private partnership will be employed to rebuild the market.

He said that the state and local government would partner in assuring that a proper structure is erected.

Governor Ahmed, who blamed the inferno on power surge, however, warned residents to be careful in the manner in which utilities are managed. He urged them to always put off electrical appliances when closing shops.

Owode market is the only major and biggest market in Offa Local Government. It has been existing for nearly 40 years.