PAGG faults Edo govt over Oluku market fire, demands modern firefighting facilities

By Elvis Omoregie, Benin

The People Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) has criticised the Edo State Government over the fire incident that ravaged Oluku Market in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, calling for improved firefighting infrastructure, safer roads and adequate compensation for affected traders.

The group, in a press statement, expressed shock over the loss of lives and destruction of goods in the inferno, which occurred in the Oluku area of Benin City, sympathising with the bereaved families, affected market women and residents of the state.

PAGG described the incident as avoidable, blaming what it called the government's failure to provide adequate firefighting facilities and address the poor condition of roads across the state.

The group questioned the absence of a well-equipped fire station in Oluku, a rapidly expanding community along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, arguing that the incident had exposed gaps in emergency response infrastructure.

It urged Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration to establish modern firefighting stations and provide functional equipment across Edo's 18 local government areas to ensure prompt responses to fire outbreaks and other emergencies.

The group also linked the incident to the poor state of roads in the state, alleging that potholes and other road defects contributed to accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles, including the petrol tanker that reportedly fell opposite Buvel Petrol Station near Oluku.

PAGG said the government should prioritise the rehabilitation of roads to reduce accidents and protect lives and property, adding that repeated appeals over the condition of roads had not yielded the desired results.

While acknowledging the governor's promise to rebuild the market, the group described the proposed intervention as insufficient without broader measures to address the underlying safety concerns and the economic hardship suffered by traders.

It called on the state government to pay adequate compensation to traders who lost their goods and businesses in the fire, enabling them to recover their investments and rebuild their livelihoods.

PAGG further urged the government to relocate traders operating close to the expressway to a safer market environment, arguing that trading activities along major roads exposed lives and property to avoidable risks.

The group also called on the governor to end what it described as illegal ticketing imposed on struggling traders, saying the government should prioritise their welfare and economic recovery.

PAGG, however, cautioned residents against scooping petrol from fallen tankers, warning that the practice exposes people to grave danger, including fires, explosions and loss of life.

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