Gov Wike meets traders at burnt fruit, vegetable market, directs immediate reconstruction

The Rivers State, Governor, Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Friday met with traders at the burnt Fruit and Vegetable Market where he directed the Special Adviser on Special Projects to immediately re-design the market and commence reconstruction processes.

Governor Wike had on Thursday night conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the market after the fire incident, which took place earlier in the day, was reported to him.

“Let me assure you that I have directed the Special Adviser on Special Projects so that we can rebuild the market immediately,” he said.

He reassured the traders that his administration would offer them assistance to get their lives back on track.

Governor Wike directed the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area and the councillor of the area where the market was located to work with the traders to draw up a comprehensive list of shop owners and affected traders for the government’s intervention.

He said: “Those of you who sell here, I have told the Mayor and the councillor representing here to get your names, so that we can reach out to you.”

He reiterated his appeal to the affected traders to cooperate with the Rivers State Government for the necessary action.

Lamenting the incident, Wike said: “What I saw here yesterday and this morning is so painful. Please endure and cooperate with us. Your problem is our problem. What affects you, affects the Government.

“This is your source of livelihood and we will find a way to assist you rebuild your lives,” he said.

He added that the State Government would investigate the cause of the inferno.

On Thursday, the popular Fruit and Vegetable Market along Kaduna Street, Port Harcourt, was completely razed by fire.

The immediate and remote causes of the inferno, in which goods and property running into hundreds of millions of Naira were lost, are yet to be ascertained.