Senator Ireti Kingibe has said the inferno that engulfed Karu market recently is being investigated, contrary to claim that it was purportedly due to clash between indigenes and management of the market.
Recall, there was fire incident recently at the Karu market which affected many shops.
The lawmaker representing the federal capital territory at the 10th senate noted that it will be wrong to attribute it to a clash, saying it is a mere allegation, “I cannot confirm it”.
Kingibe made this known on Thursday, while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
According to her, destruction caused by the fire could have been minimal, but the blockage of access roads made it difficult for the fire to be controlled.
“I am writing to chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), trucks couldn’t go in because access road were blocked. It is important to have access roads” she said.
She also lamented absence of water in the market. “There is no point you are managing market and it is in deplorable condition. We are going to rebuild the market.
“It is imperative for local government authorities, responsible for market management and revenue collection, to equip all FCT markets with fire services featuring boreholes and fire hydrants. Such facilities are essential components of a market’s infrastructure, and neglecting them is unacceptable”.
Commenting on allocation of shops when reconstructed, the senator bemoaned that shop owners face displacement or unaffordable prices, but added “the market association maintains a documented list of stall owners, facilitating the reassignment of shops once the market is reconstructed.
Kingibe added that collaboration between local government bodies, potential sources of funding, and interventions from relevant agencies are crucial for the market’s restoration.
