The Oyo State Government has expressed sympathy to traders and residents affected by the recent fire outbreak at Oranyan Market in Ibadan.
The Acting Governor of the state, Bayo Lawal, described the incident as a tragic loss that had disrupted the livelihoods of traders and caused hardship for affected families.
In a statement on Monday, Lawal assured the victims that the state government would support them during the difficult period.
He said emergency response teams had been deployed to assess the extent of the damage, while immediate relief measures were being put in place for those affected by the inferno.
The Acting Governor also said the government was committed to restoring the market and introducing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Lawal commended the Oyo State Fire Service and other security agencies for their swift response to the outbreak.
He urged traders and residents to remain calm and hopeful as the government worked to provide assistance.
“I received with deep sadness the news of the fire outbreak that occurred at Oranyan Market, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident has caused untold hardship to our hardworking traders who lost their goods and means of livelihood in the inferno,” he said.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Oyo State, I extend heartfelt sympathy to all affected traders, their families, and the entire Oranyan Market community. We share in your pain and stand with you in this difficult time.
“The State Government is already working closely with relevant emergency agencies to assess the extent of the damage and provide immediate relief to victims.
“Beyond emergency support, we are committed to putting in place measures that will help restore the market and prevent future occurrences.”
The Acting Governor added, “We commend the swift response of the fire service and security agencies, and we urge our traders to remain calm and hopeful.”