Onitsha Inferno: Gov Obiano visits scene, promises compensation
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has assured victims of the recent fire incident of his determination to compensate them before the end of this year.
Governor Obiano, who stated this when he visited the scene, expressed deep regrets at the colossal losses inflicted by the fire on traders and other residents of the city.
The inferno, which occurred on Wednesday, had a tanker ascending from Borromeo round about loss control as a result of brake failure and rammed inside as water channel at Upper Iweka, opposite Toronto Hospital, Onitsha.
Immediately, the tanker gut fire and it affected various property worth millions around Upper Iweka, Ochanga Market and some parts of Zik’s avenue, Onitsha.
The incident also claimed the life of a woman and her little son.
Gov Obiano, who was sober during the visit said: “I am very saddened by this incident and I sympathise with everyone who has lost someone or his wares or shops to this incident.
“I have already set up a panel that is headed by the Deputy Governor. The technical committee of this panel will visit this place to ascertain the number of shops and people that lost their wares.
“We shall go shop by shop and put down their names. We will be able to compensate them for their losses.
“If you cooperate with them, it will be very easy and we will be able to give you people compensation before Christmas.
“I was informed that while the fire was raging, many things that should not have happened took place. Please be law abiding. We are very sorry for what happened. We are going to ensure that the people that were affected are compensated.
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“I want you to believe your government. We are working hard to ensure that we have a crime-free Christmas. This will not dampen our spirits. I urge you to take heart,” the Governor stated.
The Governor warned them not to take advantage of the present challenges to take the laws into your hands, noting that he would not tolerate any harassment of government officials that would soon be visiting the city to ascertain the extent of damage done.
He assured that the panel would look into why the firefighters were prevented from doing their work, and promised to revamp the fire service arrangements around the area.
The Governor earlier visited the Headquarters of the Fire Service in Awka, where the Commander of the agency, Mr. Agbili Martins, confirmed that his men were prevented from having access to the fire scene.
