The Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday, constituted a committee to investigate the Onitsha fire incident which resulted to the death of a woman, a child and destruction of property.
The committee was set up following a motion raised under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by Mr Edward Ibuzor (Onitsha North lI), at an emergency plenary in Awka.
Fire had on Wednesday engulfed buildings and shops at Ochanja market, Upper Iweka in Onitsha, after a 33,000 litre diesel tanker fell and caught fire. Moving the motion, Ibuzor said that the committee would ascertain the cause of the fire outbreak and recommend remedial measures to prevent future occurrences.
“We have an oversight duty to unravel the cause of the fire incident to help provide closure for the affected persons and come up with lasting solution to prevent this kind of tragedy,” he said.
Contributing, Mr Emeka Aforka (Orumba North) said the fire incident had brought untold hardship, agony and fear to residents in the state.
“This tragedy did not just affect residents of Anambra, it has affected all Nigerians who patronise and rely on Onitsha market for their goods and services,” Aforka said.
In his views, Mr Lawrence Ezeudu (Dunukofia), said somebody should be held accountable for the loss of lives and property to serve as deterrent.
“Justice must prevail because that is the only way to bring succour to the affected persons,” he said.
Dr Tim Ifedioranma (Njikoka I) described the fire incident as unfortunate and urged the Federal Government to support the state government to provide relief for victims. (NAN)
According to him, the magnitude of that fire incident is beyond what the state government can handle.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Uche Okafor extended his sympathies to the victims of the explosion whose houses, shops and other property were destroyed in the mishap.
He urged the House Committee on Public Utilities chaired by Mr Chidi Udemmadu, to take up the investigation of the fire incident and report to the House in one week. (NAN)
