By austine ejimadu
The secretary of Nwaorie Lane Industrial Market Mr. Chinedu has appealed to the Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to come to their aid by fulfilling the pledge he made to the victims of the fire disaster which occurred last month. Umaefulam who revealed this position told Imo Trumpeta that since Governor Rochas Okorocha promised to assist and alleviate their sufferings, for commerce and industry, Uche Best Mbanaso, nothing has been done. He therefore requested the state Government to do something concerning the issue.
On the past fire disaster, he said the causes of the fire out brake were not ascertained, stressing that it started from Douglas Road before it finally spread to UBA Bank then to Nwaorie Lane Industrial Market. But no lives were lost, he said.
He declared in clear language that not less than 27 stores were guted by the ravaging fire including that of Mr. Luke Dike who happens to be the chairman of the market.
The Secretary stated that they were instructed by the commissioner for commerce and industry, Uche Best Mbanaso to forward a letter – to the office of Emergency Management Agency of Imo State (EMAIS) which they did, pointing out till date nothing has been done. He therefore urged the Governor to assist them with funds to continue their businesses.
Umaefulam however revealed that the marketers whose stores were destroyed by the fire have been trying to make ends meet after a long wait for Governments response as they cannot continue to fold their arms and watch their families die of hunger. He said that the worst hit were video cassette dealers. C ommenting on governor Okorocha’s one year in office, the Secretary described his Government as responsive, adding that Okorocha is a dynamic Visionary leader. He applauded the Governor for introducing free education inImoState, while requesting him to also look into the area of sanitation which he said requires serious attention as people no longer clean their environment during sanitation period.
He implored that State Governor, Owelle Rochas to provide the market with transformer in order to facilitate their businesses, stressing that they could not depend on the incessant irregular power supply.
However, as at the time of the interview, the Chairman of the market Mr. Luke Dike was not around. One of the victims who spoke on anonymity expressed dissatisfaction that the state Government have not been able to assist them, adding that they are only managing to make ends meet. He called on Owelle Rochas Okoroch to come to their rescue as encapsulated in his Rescue Mission Agenda.
