Ogun sets to probe Lipede market fire

The Ogun State Government has promised a thorough probe into the fire outbreak that gutted 15 shops and goods worth millions of naira at the Oba Lipede International Market in Kuto, Abeokuta, on Saturday night.

Commissioner Adebola Sofela, responsible for Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced this during a visit to the market on Monday to assess the situation firsthand.

He stated that the investigation aims to uncover the root cause of the incident and implement measures to prevent its recurrence.

Sofela said, “Experts will be deployed to conduct an integrity test on the building of the market to determine the impact of the fire, while the government will also not delay the rehabilitation of parts of the market affected by the inferno.”

The commissioner, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, officials of the market’s board, as well as the Iyaloja, Mrs. Tejumade Bakre, among other leaders, noted that the main building, which was constructed over 43 years ago would always be protected and maintained given its monumental economic value to the residents of the state.

He assured the residents that Governor Dapo Abiodun would come up with plans to ameliorate the pains of traders whose property was gutted during the inferno.

Decrying the looting of some shops shortly after the incident, the market leader, Mrs Tejumade Bakre, appreciated government and security agents for coming to their rescue.

The fire incident which started at about 10:15 pm on Saturday, was said to have been caused by the explosion of a generator being powered by gas and owned by a businessman in the market.

Mrs. Funmi Efuwape, Commissioner for Special Duties, revealed to reporters on Sunday that the fire damaged 15 shops.

Efuwape stated that the fire began in the unauthorized outdoor structures and spread to the main building, and the government is now considering demolishing the illegal shanties and structures to restore sanity to the market.