Adebiyi Adedapo, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate for governor of Oyo State, has demanded an investigation into the fire at Oranyan Market in the state capital of Ibadan.
In a statement released on Monday, Adedapo expressed sorrow over the incident and solidarity with market vendors and all those impacted by it.
He stated that in order to prevent a recurrence, the government must carry out safety audits in the state’s markets and that a transparent investigation of the incident is necessary, along with assistance for the victims.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire incident at Oranyan Market in Ibadan, which has once again exposed the vulnerability of our markets and the urgent need for decisive action to protect lives, livelihoods and property across Oyo State.
“My thoughts are with the traders, artisans, families and other residents whose means of livelihood have been affected by this unfortunate incident. For many of them, the market represents years of sacrifice, investment and hard work. The destruction caused by the inferno is therefore not merely a loss of property but a serious blow to their economic survival.
“What makes this latest tragedy particularly disturbing is that it comes only a few weeks after the devastating Bode Market inferno. We cannot continue to treat successive market fires as isolated incidents when their recurrence raises serious questions about fire prevention, emergency preparedness, market infrastructure and the effectiveness of our response systems,” Adedapo stated.
The NNPP candidate added that “The people of Oyo State deserve to know what happened at Oranyan Market. I therefore call for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the cause of the inferno, the circumstances surrounding its spread, the emergency response, and any factors that may have contributed to the extent of the destruction.
“The investigation must not be a mere formality. It should establish whether there were preventable failures involving electrical installations, market structures, access roads, fire equipment, emergency services or other relevant factors. Where negligence or violations are established, appropriate responsibility must be determined in accordance with the law.
“The recurrence of major market fires should serve as a warning that Oyo State needs a stronger, coordinated and long-term strategy for market safety, urban planning and emergency management. We must move from reacting to disasters to preventing them through regular inspections, proper infrastructure, effective enforcement and sustained investment in emergency services.”
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the fire incident. Our thoughts are with the families, traders, and communities impacted by this tragedy. We hope for a swift recovery and better days ahead for everyone involved.
