News
New Layout Market Fire: Amaechi Promises Traders Succour … As Commissioner Rules Out Sabotage
Governor Chibuike Amaechi has announced plans to assist traders who lost their wares in the New Layout Market inferno that gutted over 40 stalls in the old Township area on Tuesday evening in Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi visited the market yesterday to assess the level of damage and disclosed plans to engage a private facility manager who will run and maintain facilities in the market.
He told the traders, “We will repair the damage but we will only pay those that their goods were burnt. We will give you the money to replace your goods.”
Amaechi directed the Commissioners of Special Duties and that of Commerce to liaise together by providing records of damage and census of those affected, while assuring that government will address the plight of traders as soon as possible.
The governor blamed the traders in the market for the incident pointing out that the facility was supposed to be daily and open stalls but because of the makeshift wooden structures, the fire caused serious damage.
He said, “this market is only for food items alone so I don’t see why you put up all those woods because it is those woods that must have led to this fire.”
Speaking to newsmen shortly after, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dickson Umunakwe disclosed that preliminary report showed that most of the affected stalls were constructed with combustible materials.
Umunakwe explained that the wooden structures built by traders aided the fire once the explosion occurred. He blamed the explosion to an electrical fault.
On the plans to engage a facility manager, the Commissioner stated that it will curb vandalization since most of the fire, water and electrical installations in the market were vandalized.
Caretaker Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Nnamdi Wuche also promised to assist in rehabilitating the market, and lauded Governor Amaechi for attending to the plight of the traders.
Wuche promised that the Council will synergise with the State Government that standards and safety is restored in the market.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has ruled out sabotage in the fire incident.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe said in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt yesterday that preliminary report before the government indicates that the incident was caused by electrical surge.
Umunakwe said that the government has decided to repair the burnt parts of the market with a view to handing it over to a consultant for management.
According to him, the repair would also affect the big water tank and giant Generator which supplies light to the market.
He said that the government has discovered that many traders were operating outside the original market design by adding make-shift structures that are inflammable, stressing that all these would be checked when the market is handed over to a consultant.
The Commissioner also said that the State Fire Service would also establish its presence at the market and stressed the need for managements of markets across the state to form a neighbourhood watch that would be in charge of security, while traders go about their businesses.
The Commissioner advised people to be careful with the handling of electronic appliances in their homes, stressing that all electronic appliances must be switched off when not in use.
Meanwhile, the members representing Port Harcourt Constituency 111, Mrs Irene Inimgba has sympathized with the traders over the incident.
Speaking during a visit to the market, Hon (Mrs) Inimgba advised the traders to be more careful with electrical appliances in the market.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Sports21 hours agoFalconets thrashes 4-0 Rwanda in qualifiers
-
Education21 hours agoFRSC to Establish Driving Training Centre at UniPort
-
Oil & Energy21 hours agoAfam 2 Power Plant Adds 160MW To National Grid, says Sahara Group
-
Business21 hours agoSMEDAN, CAC Move To Ease Business Registration, Target 250,000 MSMEs
-
Maritime21 hours agoBlue Economy: FG Targets Lower Logistic Costs, Trade Competitiveness
-
Rivers21 hours agoYouth Leader Lauds Tinubu, Over Ogoni oil Dispute
-
News20 hours agoShettima departs New York for Germany after UNGA engagement
-
Sports21 hours agoFBN, Group Hold First E1 Lagos GP Champion Oct.3