The Managing Director, Ifeanyichukwu Industries and Commercial Services Limited, Ogidi, Anambra state, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Egwim, has appealed to both federal and state governments for assistance following the fire incident that gutted his Luxury Park, destroying his fleet of luxury buses and other valuables in his company recently.
He made the appeal when the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi, paid him a condolence visit.
Chief Egwim described the incident as tragic, but thanked God for sparing his life, and expressed hope that he would soon bounce back.
He quantified the losses incurred in the fire incident to the tune of N520million, attributing the cause to tyre burst.
He said, “We lost 13 buses to the fire. Going by current exchange rate, each of the buses goes for N40million. Thank God it was my buses that were destroyed, Ifeanyichukwu is still alive.
“This is the first time we’re experiencing fire of such magnitude. We’ve had similar incidents in the past, but none can be compared with this.
“It would have escalated to the building materials market and a nearby gas plant if not for the water tank, chemicals and other emergency facilities we installed after previous incidents to forestall future occurances.”
Appreciating the FRSC boss for the visit, the popular fleet operator promised his management’s continued assistance to the organization and government despite the calamity.
Also speaking, son to the victim, and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Transport, Hon. Obiora Egwim, informed that they were yet to receive assistance from any one, but was hopeful of soon intervention.
“No compensation from anywhere yet. The governor only sympathized with us during his visit, but never made any promise. But we’re hopeful he’ll definitely do something, knowing the kind of person he is.
“For insurance, basically none. You know vehicles like these depreciate rather than appreciate, so you can’t continue after two years, unless on third party,” he added.
Earlier, Corps Commander Irelewuyi said the visit was to sympathize with the management for the huge loss, describing the victim as principal stakeholder as far as FRSC is concerned in the state.
He said, “I was away in Abuja when the incident happened but I sent my deputy to take charge of rescue. I’ve been briefed on so many things you’ve done to assist us.
“We’re here to show solidarity with you over the unfortunate incident. This is one of those things the FRSC is working assiduously to prevent, loss of lives and property out of drivers’ carelessness.
“Like you rightly said, it was vehicles that got burnt, not the owner. My people say that the palace of a king that got burnt will only add beauty after undergoing renovation. It’s only God that can rise for you at this trying times.”
The luxury park, located near popular International Building Materials Market along Awka-Onitsha expressway, Ogidi, on August 15, went up in flames when a fuel tanker spilt its content after another articulated vehicle reportedly rammed into it.
The truck driver was reportedly burnt to death, while over 13 buses and other valuables worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed in the inferno.
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