The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday distributed relief materials to 300 traders of the Olaleye Market affected by fire disaster in Somolu, Lagos.
Over 80 per cent of the market was destroyed by fire incident that occurred on May 30.
The Director-General of NEMA, Retired AVM Muhammadu Muhammed, represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Farinloye, the Acting Coordinator of NEMA, Lagos Office, said the relief materials were donated to provide succour to the affected traders.
Muhammed said that the Federal Government and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, commiserated with the traders over their losses, pains and trauma orchestrated by the incident.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I commiserate with the good people of Lagos State over the unfortunate incident of the Olaleye Market fire disaster.
“The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, monitored reports about the incident and gave instruction for an assessment by NEMA staff.
“The assessment was conducted to determine the extent of damages on properties affected by the inferno so as to provide relief to the traders,” he said.
Muhammed said the relief materials were 300 bags of 12.5kg rice; 300 bags of 25kg beans; 300 bags of 12.5 kg garri; 30 kegs of 20 litres of vegetable oil; 20 bags of 20kg salt and 54 cartoons of tomatoes paste.
Others include: 600 bundles of roofing sheet, 600 bags of cement, 600 pieces of ceiling board, 100 bags of three inches nail and 200 packets of zinc nail to support the rebuilding of the market.
Rep. Ademorin Kuye, representing Somolu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, described the initiative as a commendable one.
Kuye, represented by Mr Layo Benson, said the donation would go a long way to cushion the effects of the incident on the traders.
In her remarks, Mrs Adejoke Oyebode, Iyaloja of the market, thanked NEMA for the gesture toward the traders.
Oyebode said that the incident had brought more hardship to the traders couple with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
“We thank the Federal Government, NEMA, Lagos State and Rep. Ademorin Kuye for the donation.
“Though, the donation cannot make up for everything we lost, we appreciate them for remembering us at this difficult time,” she said.
Also, Alhaja Ramota Soduke, an 80-year-old trader, a victim of the disaster, expressed gratitude to NEMA for the donation.
Soduke said the gesture showed that the government feel concerned in helping Nigerians during their difficult situations.
