Cross River: No lives lost as fire destroys shops worth millions at Obudu Cyclists Park

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

No lives were lost as fire destroyed several shops worth millions of naira at Cyclist Park area of Obudu , the Executive Chairman of Obudu Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Peter  Undiandeye, has said.

Represented by Secretary of Council, Emmanuel Aben and Special Adviser on Revenue, Samson Adung, the chairman visited the scene  on Thursday to assess damage and interact with affected traders.

Describing the incident as unfortunate and heartbreaking, Dr. Undiandeye said many traders depend on their businesses as their primary source of livelihood, making the losses painful.

Preliminary reports indicate several shops and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed, though the full extent of damage is yet to be determined.

“Everything I worked for over the years was destroyed. I could not save anything from the shop. It is a painful loss for me and my family,” victim Mrs. Sylvia Ukwayi said.

The chairman commended residents and emergency responders for swift intervention that contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings. He expressed gratitude that no lives were lost.

Dr. Undiandeye said the fire comes at a difficult time for residents still recovering from recent windstorms in Utugwang communities of Ukwutia, Nkerira and Ukpada, and flooding in Bebuasu and Igwo that destroyed farmlands and crops.

He assured fire victims and residents affected by windstorm and flooding that the council would engage the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to explore relief measures.

The chairman urged traders to adhere to safety precautions to prevent future incidents and reaffirmed Governor Bassey Otu’s administration commitment to citizens’ welfare.