Utako electrical traders bemoan N1bn goods’ loss, seek FG’s intervention

The Electrical Dealers Association (EDA) Utako District Abuja has appealed to the Federal Government and Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) to mitigate the colossal loss suffered by the traders from the fire incident that destroyed part of the multi-billion Naira complex on Sunday last week.

The fire incident affected about 50 shops resulting in large destruction of goods worth over ₦1billion.

One of the victims whose name was not disclosed was said to have lost goods worth over ₦500 million.

Another trader, Mr. Edward Davis, said he lost over N20 million worth of electrical goods to the inferno.

When asked about their next action, Davis said, “For now we are helpless, we are trusting that the government will assist us to restore our shops, and also we have seen the effort of the EDA officials. They are working tirelessly to ensure that the market resumes normal activities.”

Speaking, on behalf of the traders, an EDA official, Nze Boniface Chukwneta, commended the fire-fighting agencies led by the construction giants, Julius Berger, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their prompt responses which helped to bring the inferno under control.

According to him, “But for the quick response of the fire fighters the entire complex would have been totally razed down.”

Although the cause of the fire incident was yet to be ascertained, the association stated that a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to find out the cause and prevent future occurrence.

Blueprint reports that the edifice built over 20 years ago, solely by the traders, contains about 340 shops.