By Godwin Ajom
While traders are still counting their losses resulting from the Ikom fire incident that occurred on Sunday January 12, 2025, the remote cause of the incident fire incident has been disclosed.
Chairman of A-Line, at the Ikom Central Market, Mr. Effiong Okon Etu, the scene of the incident, said the cause of the outbreak was the burning of refuse in the market.
Although Mr. Effiong explained that burning of refuse within the market area is prohibited, cautioning such act.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Honorable Mercy Nsor, has sympathized with traders in the Ikom Central Market over the fire incident urging them to be vigilant and cautious to avoid a recurrence.
The Chairman stated this when she made an on-the-spot visit to the market to assess the level of damage done and possibly avoidable solutions.
She thanked the traders for their timely intervention in ensuring that no life was lost while also expressing sadness on the degree of the damage, especially in this hash economy.
She assured them of an immediate intervention and called on the market leadership to enact laws that would guide against illegal burning of refuse and other items within the market space.
The LGA Boss thanked God Almighty that lives were not lost, assuring the management of the market and all those affected that the LGA, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency and NEMA, will ensure a speedy response to bring relief materials and intervention to all those affected.
In his response, the Chairman of A-Line(Ikom Market), Mr. Effiong Okon Etu, solicited the government to provide good fire equipment and rebuild the burnt shops as he will, on his part, provide fire extinguishers to his people for prompt intervention when such need arises.
One of the victims, Mr. James Etta appreciated the Council Chairman and her team, for her proactiveness and concerns. He stated that the Chairman through the her aid on Peace and Security stood by them offering support.
Mr. James solicited for support stating that the effect of the disaster has left them and their entire families devastated and without a possible headway.