Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has offered condolences to the merchants and company owners impacted by the Sunday fire that destroyed Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja.
In a statement released on his X handle on Sunday, Obi said that the incident demonstrated the necessity of bolstering Nigeria’s emergency response systems, especially the fire services’ capability.
At the plaza, a building materials market across from the Chida Hotel in Jabi, a fire broke out, destroying stores and merchandise reportedly valued at millions of naira.
The alarm was set off at around three in the morning after a trader received a distress call regarding the fire, according to an eyewitness who spoke with the Nigerian Television Authority.
Reacting to the incident, Obi said his “heart goes out to the traders, artisans, workers, families and business owners whose goods, investments and livelihoods may have been affected by this unfortunate incident.”
“As a country, we cannot continue to lose businesses and livelihoods repeatedly to preventable disasters. Each time this happens, we gradually lose our productive capacity,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said small businesses were “the backbone of our economy” and that losses suffered by traders could affect their families, workers and communities.
Obi urged authorities to strengthen emergency-response systems, particularly by ensuring that fire services were properly equipped and adequately staffed.
“As we grieve what has happened at Jabi Market, let us not wait for another market to burn before we act. Let this tragedy become a reason to strengthen our emergency-response systems, especially by ensuring that our fire service is properly equipped, adequately staffed and capable of responding swiftly to emergencies.”
“We must protect our small businesses and ensure that Abuja, and indeed Nigeria, becomes a safer place to live, work and invest.”
“May God comfort every person affected by this disaster, restore the livelihoods that have been lost, and grant our emergency responders the strength and wisdom required at this difficult moment.”
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragedy, and we stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time.
