Goods Worth N5bn Lost, 100 Shops Destroyed Following Recent Fire Disaster That Rocked Onitsha Chemical Market
…Market Chairman says about 100 shops collapsed during the explosion
It has been estimated that Cash and goods worth about N5billion were lost during the recent chemical explosion that rocked the drug section of the Bridgehead Market, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Chairman of the market, Chinedu Ezekwike, disclosed this while briefing reporters on the losses incurred as a result of the explosion.
Ezekwike also revealed that more than 100 shops have collapsed following the fire disaster which claimed about seven lives, while 20 sustained varying degrees of injury.
The Market Chairman further hinted that the fire razed huge amount of cash because some traders kept their money inside their shops.
The Market Chairman said, “We have about 100 shops that collapsed during the explosion and raw cash because some traders kept their money in the safes in their shops.
“On the whole, we lost cash and goods worth about #5 billion because there are so many millionaires in the market. Some deal in expensive goods that one cannot just easily quantify what they may have lost.
“Some of the victims are still in the hospitals and we visited them at New Hope, White Chapel, Delta hospitals and Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State.
“We urge the government, spirited individuals and groups, including polititcians to come to the victims’ rescue as the harm done to them and the market is beyond our capacity.
“Some who have visited pledged to assist, especially politicians and we urge them to fulfill their pledges as the victims are still begging for help. We need every form of assistance to bounce back.”
It was learnt that the market was shut for seven consecutive days immediately after the explosion in sympathy for the victims as well as to allow for fumigation of the market against chemical hazards to the environment and the traders.
