Reps want relief materials for victims of Abak Main Market, Akwa Ibom

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has  urged the National Emergency Management Agency  to arrange for relief materials for victims of the recent fire incidence at Abak Main Market, in Etim Ekpo, Ika Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State.

This was sequel to a motion of urgent national importance titled “Urgent Need To Empathize With And Provide Relief Materials For Victims Of The Recent Fire Incidence At Abak Main Market  In  Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State”,  brought to the House by Hon Aniekan Umanah.

Umanah noted that the materials was  to cushion the effect of  losses  incurred during the fire .

He said that there is need for the Federal Fire Service to enhance the operational capacity of their outpost to enable them rise to the occasion whenever fire  disaster occur.

The Lawmaker noted that while people all over the world were eagerly preparing and waiting to usher in the new year,2023 with  joy, a devastating fire  gutted down  the popular Abak market  at the Abak Market square area of Abak Town, in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on  the 30th December,2022 at midnight.

In presenting the motion in the House, the Lawmaker further notes that the inferno which began at about 12am  lasted for over four hours before it was brought under control  through community efforts and intervention by men of the Federal Fire Service, Uyo”.  

According to the Lawmaker, there have been an alarming increase in fire disasters in the markets across  the country in the recent past, while observing that inferno  wrecked havoc on people and properties resulting in several burns, injuries and huge loses incurred by the hapless citizens and traders”.

Adopting the motion in the House, the Lawmakers noted with grave concern that the ugly incident has left it’s  victims  distraught and helpless especially that the market served as their only source of livelihood with so much responsibilities to cater for.

“The House further noted that, majority of  the victims obtained various forms of loans to finance their trading ventures and with the unfortunate situation are now jobless and unable to meet their daily responsibilities.

“The House Worried that the highly industrious  people of this community are majorly traders,  farmers artisans and  small scale entrepreneurs and have contributed their quota in the maintenance of peace and general development of the country and face imminent outbreak of epidemics arising from hunger and unhealthy lifestyle.

“The House therefore called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management to immediately take stock of the affected innocent citizens and work out measures to assist them restore their means of livelihood.

It also urge the Committees on Humanitarian  and Poverty Alleviation as well as Committe on Interior to ensure compliance.