The Unified Non-Indigenes Association in Bayelsa State has appealed to the state government to urgently assist its members whose goods and other property were destroyed by fire last Sunday night in Yenagoa.
The president of the association, Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, made the appeal during a visit to the scene of the fire at the Bayelsa Mechanic Village, Yenagoa.
He was with traditional rulers of various ethnic groups in the state.
Arthur-Ugwa, who conducted newsmen around the ruins left by the inferno, said that the assistance would enable the victims to return to business fast.
He noted that goods worth over N400 million, vehicles and several shops were destroyed by the fire which occurred at night.
The traditional rulers took turns to console the victims, while appealing to Bayelsa Government to assist them.
According to traders, artisans and technicians doing business in the village, the fire occurred at 3.00a.m. when they had closed work.
They suspected electrical fault as the cause of the fire.
Our correspondent reports that the state Deputy Gov. Lawrence Ewhrujakpo had visited the scene and pledged government’s assistance to victims.
He also gave assurance that the government would set up a committee to probe the cause of the inferno.