Atakumosa market inferno Aregbesola provides succour for victims

Government of Osun State has offered financial relief package of N31 million to the victims of a fire outbreak that engulfed Atakumosa Market, Ilesa.

Executive Secretary, Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun, Alhaji Issa Azeez – representing Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left) presenting a cheque to one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Fadare Monisola (right) during the presentation of relief materials to victims of Atakunmosa market inferno in Ilesa. With them are, Majority leader, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye (2nd left) and Babaloja of the Market, Chief Adedeji Ogbara…..recently

The market, which is the biggest in Ilesa town, was caught by fire on Sunday, August 9, 2015, leaving shops and goods worth millions of naira destroyed.

Presenting cheques to some of the victims running to hundreds on Thursday, the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the relieve package was aimed at cushioning the effect of the inferno on the victims and the economy.

Represented by the Chairman, Ilesa West Local Government, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, the governor said the market would be rebuilt to meet international standard.

According to him, the relieve package was offered to the victims due to the concern of his administration to the plight of the citizenry and in line with its commitment to see to the peoples’ welfare.

He said: “Inspite of the economic situation in Osun, we still consider it necessary to support the traders who were the victims of the inferno.

“This government will continue to do everything possible to make lives meaningful to the people, no matter the distraction”, he said.

The Leader of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye who represents Ilesa East consttituency commended the governor for showing concern to the welfare of the people inspite of the economic situation.

He also hinted that efforts are now in top gear to begin the reconstructed of the market to a modern one, calling for the support of the traders to make it a reality.

“We know that no amount of relief package can totally eradicate your loss, because, while some of the victims are petty traders who trade with meagre amount, some trade with huge amount.

“However, this financial relief is to show that the present government shares in your pain and will do everything possible to cushion its effects”, Owoeye said.

He then charged the traders to make judicious use of the package and pay back to the system by supporting the government.

The Babaloja of the Market, Chief Adedeji Ogbara said the traders never expected that the assistance would come so soon from the government.

Commending the government for the gesture, he assured that the traders would reciprocate it by supporting the government in any way they could.