North West Governor Visits Ravaged Bamenda Main Market, Convenes Crisis Meeting!
North West Governor visits Ravaged Bamenda Main Market, Convenes Crisis Meeting!
By Ruth Che Wachong
Governor Lele LAfrique has paid a working visit to the Bamenda Main Market that was ravaged by fire Thursday February 22nd 2024.
Accompanied by Municipal and Security Officials, the Governor expressed his sympathy to all those affected and assured them of Government’s support to ensure they get back on their feet in the shortest possible time.
H.E Governor Lele LAfrique at the Main Market“Thanks to intervention of the fire fighting brigade, the fire was contained though about 300 shops have been destroyed. I want to assure you that victims of the fire will be compensated. Make sure you register yourself at the assigned commissioner with details of your number of shops, contents and damage sustained”
Governor Lele LAfrique
The Governor immediately convened a crises meeting after visiting the market. The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders and some affected shop owners to chat a way forward after the fire incident. It was noticed that shop owners who had fire extinguishers at the time of the fire outbreak did not know how to use them, hence a recommendation was made for the City Council to collaborate with the Fire Fighting Brigade to initiate and carry out the training of shop owners on usage of extinguishers and combating fire outbreaks.
Mayor Chenwi Peter of Bamenda II Council during the security meeting, suggested that a fund drive be immediately put in place to permit Elites make contributions to assist affected shop owners. This gesture according to him is geared towards encouraging the spirit of camaraderie and living together in the entire Region.
The North West Regional Delegate for Heath Dr Kingsley Che Soh during the crises meeting revealed that a total number of 30 persons were received at the Regional Hospital on the night of the fire outbreak. He continued that majority of the 30 victims suffered psychological trauma with few minor physical injuries. Doctors attended to all 30 and they were discharged on their request same evening.
According to Dr Kingsley Che Soh, these victims need psychosocial support which the Hospital is readily available to provide should they be interested.
Speaking to the Press shortly after the Crises meeting, the President General of Traders Associations Bamenda, Chia Godwill revealed the number of affected shops as at the morning breaking Friday February 23, is at 300. He reiterated the urgent need for shops at the Bamenda Main Market to be staffed, so that future fire incidents can be contained without delay.
“Like the Governor mentioned earlier, we are going to be part of a committee that would carry out assessments, deliberate and come up with suggestions on how to restructure the Market, so as to make it more convenient for shop owners and users”
Chia Godwill.
Chia GodwilThe fire incident according to onlookers emanated from a mini soap factory at the front of the market, and engulfed stalls on the same stretch right into the main market.
“I had just closed for the day and was about boarding a bike when I heard something that sounded like an explosion from a shop were savon and related items are sold. I immediately rushed to see what I could remove from my shop but the fire was spreading soo fast with some explosions. The more we tried putting out the fire was the more it escalated. At some point we had no choice but to stand and watch the raging fire ravage stalls on that stretch right into the main market.My entire shop worth millions was ravaged by the fire.
Miranda, shop owner at the main market.
Governor Lele LAfrique also announced during the crises meeting that the City Mayor and team shall in the days ahead carry out a technical study of the market to ensure the market is rebuild in a better and more secured way.
Published by UPFRONT
Friday 23 February 2024
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This is disheartening but then it has happened...we pray the government assist this situation immediately...God help us 🙏
ReplyDeleteIt is truly an unfortunate situation but we are hopeful for a timely intervention by Government.
ReplyDelete