Owode Market Inferno: Offa Community begins reconstruction of 116 shops
- Matthew Denis
- Jul 6, 2015
- 2 min read
In a bid to boost economy activities in Kwara State, Offa Community has began laying the foundation of 116 shops in the razed Owode market.
The market was consumed by fire over 2months ago, leaving 988 shops and other properties worth over N1billion destroyed.
On the spot visit by Pilot Business on Friday shows that work has commenced with workers laying blocks and rod at the scene.
The victims of the inferno were seen setting-up smaller shops on the floor with umbrella cover as shield as means of struggling for survival.
Speaking with our reporter, one of the victims, Mrs. Basirat Olayila said, "since I lost my properties worth over N1.2million to the inferno, I've just been battling with life"
"This is the business I have been doing for 16 years, we have be coping by God's grace. We are looking forward to government's assistance to rebuild the shops for us".
Another victim, Mrs. Mary Ibironke Olayinka, clothes seller and supplier of uniform materials, stressed that her properties worth N2.5million was destroyed.
She lamented that it has not been easy with her family as they are just recovering from the loss.
She said, "you can see the small scale shop I'm using umbrella to cover just to start something."
"We beg government to assist us because many of us are like orphans now and some people are still suffering in the hospital."
On her part, Alhaja Samiat Adeola Olatunji stressed that they are helpless therefore seek for government's prompt intervention in their predicament.
Another victim, Chief Ajiboye Alawe who sells pharmaceutical products and timing gadgets said: “the government should come to our aid, because we are helpless and he appreciated the Community for coming to rebuild the market.”
The Market Chairman, Alhaji Moshood Agbe-shop said the rebuilding of the 116 shops was commissioned last week Wednesday by the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufuatau Mohammed Gbadamosi as both pastors and Alfa prayed over the land.
He reiterated that the Olofa assured them during the commissioning that the first phase of the shops will be ready by the end of July.
The chairman stated that the second phase will commence immediately after the commissioning.
In her response, the Secretary-General of Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Chief Mrs. Wasilat Atinuke McCarthy said "Offa Community commenced the foundation laying on July 1 as promised by the Royal Majesty".
According to her, during the foundation laying ceremony, the Olofa made a fatherly promise to contact sons and daughters of Offa to contribute financially by building a befitting market structure that will stand the test of time.
She said "all sons and daughters of Offa community are living up to the challenge as they are donating generously."
The Secretary-General reiterated that the market is the economy nerve-centre of the state as traders from within and outside the country come to carry out business activities.
"The market, when completed will continue to boost revenue for the state therefore, they are calling on the government in its magnanimity to support in rebuilding the market and come to the aids of the victims."
McCarthy said "we are waiting and expecting the government to either donate towards the completion of the market or empower the victims".
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