Okigwe Market Inferno: Senator Nwebonyi Seeks Urgent Relief for Victims, Rallies Government Support
By Romanus Uzor, Abakaliki,9/7/26
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has expressed deep sympathy with traders affected by the devastating fire outbreak at the Okigwe Central Market in Imo State, describing the incident as a tragic loss that has plunged hundreds of families into hardship.
Senator Nwebonyi made this known on Wednesday during plenary while seconding a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze on the fire disaster that ravaged the market.
Contributing to the debate, the lawmaker noted that although the establishment and management of markets fall within the purview of local governments, the scale of destruction caused by the inferno demands urgent intervention from all relevant authorities.
He, therefore, called on the Imo State Government, the concerned local government council, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other relevant agencies to immediately provide relief materials and support to the affected traders.
According to him, prompt intervention would not only ease the suffering of the victims but also restore hope to families whose means of livelihood were destroyed by the incident.
Also lending his voice to the motion, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, urged NEMA, public-spirited Nigerians and other relevant authorities to come to the aid of the traders, many of whom lost their only sources of sustenance in the unfortunate fire outbreak.
The Senate’s intervention, according to observers, reflects its commitment to standing with Nigerians in moments of adversity and advocating timely responses to humanitarian emergencies.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
