Association Lists Causes Of Fire Accidents

The Mile One Market Traders Association (MOMTA) has attributed the incessant fire incidents at the market in the past to the handiwork of dissident groups wanting to amass wealth to the detriments of other traders.

The Tide recalls that the first major fire outbreak recorded at the market took place in 1981 followed by another in 2004 and the last in 2006 before the Rivers State Government took the decision to build a befitting edifice for the market.

Traders occupying the new market commissioned by the state government recently dedicated it to God with prayers and sing songs.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Chairman of MOMTA, Chief Young Obene Georgwill said the traders deemed it necessary to dedicate the market to God Almighty and to pray for the Government, the Governor and members of the State Executive Council for making the dream of the traders come through.

Chief Georgewill  used the opportunity to thank Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for fulfilling his promise to the traders and urged Rivers people to continue to support the government in its transformation agenda.

According to the MOMTA chairman, a committee had been set up to ensure the maintenance of the new market, pointing out that having taken cognisance of the sources of the past fire incidents, it would not occur again now that the market is fire-proof.

Performing the dedication, Pastor Austen Oriseh charged the traders to dedicate themselves to God alongside the market because according to him, after the dedication of the market, the presence of God remains there.

Said he: “Prepare your life before occupying the shops to remain continuously. God who brought this to accomplishment can do anything, so you need to purify and keep yourself holy.”

A seamstress at the market, Mrs Nancy Abbah in an interview said “we are grateful to God and the Chibuike Amaechi-led government for making our dream come through” and prayed God to give the governor more strength to complete the remaining phases of the market on time.

Shedie Okpara