Political leader Peter Obi has visited Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja, where an early-morning fire outbreak destroyed over 45 shops, warehouses, and building material stock valued at tens of millions of naira.Meeting with affected shop owners and artisans clearing debris at the popular commercial complex opposite Chida Hotel, Obi expressed deep sympathy over the disaster and pledged personal assistance toward rebuilding their businesses.
Why did Peter Obi demand stronger emergency response systems?
The inferno, which broke out in the early hours of Sunday and triggered widespread panic among residents, gutted multiple units containing roofing materials and general building supplies.Interacting directly with traders who lost restocked inventory, Obi emphasized that market fires do not merely destroy physical property—they wipe out years of savings, family livelihoods, and small-scale economic productivity.
“I met with some of the affected traders, many of whom were still clearing the debris and trying to salvage whatever could be recovered from the ruins. I expressed my deepest sympathy to them and pledged my support, however modest, as they begin the difficult journey of rebuilding their livelihoods.”
“For many of these traders, their shops represent years of hard work, savings, sacrifice and hope. What was lost is therefore far more than physical structures and merchandise; livelihoods have been disrupted, dreams have been set back, and families have been placed under additional hardship.”
Reinforcing his stance on public safety infrastructure, the former Anambra State governor called on federal and municipal authorities to adequately equip the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and emergency first responders to prevent recurring commercial market disasters across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and nationwide.
“My consistent position has been that government must always care for its people, particularly in moments of difficulty and vulnerability. In times like this, leadership must be measured not only by what government builds, but also by how it stands with citizens when they lose what they have painstakingly built.”
“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. I pray that God Almighty grants the affected traders the strength, resources and opportunity to recover from this painful loss, and that their businesses and livelihoods will be restored.”
Traders and local business associations commended the visit, urging both the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and private emergency relief agencies to provide soft loans and reconstruction grants to help affected shop owners restart their commercial activities. Will municipal authorities implement comprehensive fire safety standards across major commercial plazas in Abuja?
