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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Adebiyi Adedapo, has called for a probe of the fire incident at Oranyan Market in Ibadan, the state capital.
Adedapo, in a statement on Monday, expressed grief over the incident and solidarity with traders in the market and everyone affected by the incident.
He noted that there is a need for a transparent investigation of the incident, as well as support for the victims, stating that it is imperative for the government to conduct safety audits in the markets in the state to forestall a recurrence.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire incident at Oranyan Market in Ibadan, which has once again exposed the vulnerability of our markets and the urgent need for decisive action to protect lives, livelihoods and property across Oyo State.
“My thoughts are with the traders, artisans, families and other residents whose means of livelihood have been affected by this unfortunate incident. For many of them, the market represents years of sacrifice, investment and hard work. The destruction caused by the inferno is therefore not merely a loss of property but a serious blow to their economic survival.
“What makes this latest tragedy particularly disturbing is that it comes only a few weeks after the devastating Bode Market inferno. We cannot continue to treat successive market fires as isolated incidents when their recurrence raises serious questions about fire prevention, emergency preparedness, market infrastructure and the effectiveness of our response systems,” Adedapo stated.
The NNPP candidate added that “The people of Oyo State deserve to know what happened at Oranyan Market. I therefore call for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the cause of the inferno, the circumstances surrounding its spread, the emergency response, and any factors that may have contributed to the extent of the destruction.
“The investigation must not be a mere formality. It should establish whether there were preventable failures involving electrical installations, market structures, access roads, fire equipment, emergency services or other relevant factors. Where negligence or violations are established, appropriate responsibility must be determined in accordance with the law.
“The recurrence of major market fires should serve as a warning that Oyo State needs a stronger, coordinated and long-term strategy for market safety, urban planning and emergency management. We must move from reacting to disasters to preventing them through regular inspections, proper infrastructure, effective enforcement and sustained investment in emergency services.”
