Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti on Tuesday fufilled his promise of extending financial relief to the victims of the Ehere Timber Market fire disaster.
Five victims — Charles Maduforo, Obinna Emmanuel, Uzochi Ubani, Chigozie Theophillus and Chinecherem Joseph — received cheques to the value of their estimated loss in the fire outbreak that destroyed huge timber goods and shops last month.
Just a day after the incident, Otti visited the scene and sympathised with the victims and the market association and pledged to offer some financial relief to the victims, and set up a process for the rebuilding of the market.
Mafuforo received a compensation from the governor for his stainer wood-cutting machine that was destroyed by the fire, while Emmanuel, Theophillus and Ubani received compensation for their timber goods and Joseph, who sustained injuries and is now hospitalised, received assistance for his medical bills.
Delivering the cheques to the victims on behalf of the governor, the Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, Chief Eric Egwuibe said that by the gesture, Otti has demonstrated his compassionate heart and his love for traders in the state, adding that it is the dream of the governor that Ehere Market would be elevated to a modern one with a sickbay, bank, conviniences, and fire security measures.
The Mayor disclosed that, in line with the governor’s vision, his office has set up a committee to verify and enumerate the shops in the market, and that the committee has swung into action. He described Otti as a man of his words who has come to change the state’s negative narrative, and restore the lost glory of the business city of Aba. “Abians all over the country are now proud of being Abians”, he declared.
Egwuibe further disclosed that Obingwa, under his watch, is following after the footsteps of the governor in attending to the needs of the grassroots people and offering meaningful service to our people.
On behalf of the victims, Ubani expressed gratitude to the governor for coming to their aid and alleviating their pains.
Chairman of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ezeokafor Chinedu declared that Otti is showing what true leadership is all about and that it was the first time in history that traders were treated with such regard.
