By Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state today donated N50 million to those affected by the fire that destroyed wears and food and other items worth billions of naira at the Otukpo main market in the early hours of Monday.
Ortom who made the donation after assessing the extent of damage done to hundreds of shops at the market, described the damage as monumental.
He said items destroyed were worth billions of naira, stressing that the main livelihood of many of the residents of Otukpo has been destroyed by fire.
He said the N50 million would just do a little in cushioning effect of the disaster, pointing out that the multiplier effect of the destruction done to the goods of over 350 persons can only be imagined.
He urged those affected in the inferno to take solace in the fact that his administration would ensure that such a thing does not happen again and asked God to provide for the familles of those affected.
The governor said he would ensure that roads were provided within the market for easy accessibility in times of fire outbreak and directed that another market be provided so that in the interim, the main market would be reorganized in line with suggestions made by the Och’Otukpo, Chief John Eimonye, that access roads be provided within the market.
It was gathered by Nigerian Xpress at the market that the owner of the N11 million worth of goods consumed in the inferno , Mr Okwudili Ugwu, almost went into coma after the disaster.
Details of the destruction caused by the fire which started at about 4 am on Monday and was still raging in some of the meat and fish as well wears shops would be brought to you in subsequent reports.
