The recent fire outbreak at Dosunmu Market in Lagos State has drawn criticism from a victim towards the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for what she perceives as insensitivity towards the traders who lost their merchandise in the incident.
Reports indicate that approximately 14 buildings were engulfed by the fire in the market located on the Lagos Island area.
Confirming the incident over the phone, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority, Ibrahim Farinloye, mentioned that out of the 14 affected buildings, four collapsed.
Expressing her dismay, one of the victims, Idayat Allison, during a town hall meeting involving market stakeholders, criticized Sanwo-Olu for his allegedly detached response to the tragedy.
Allison remarked that the governor’s remarks about demolishing buildings with inadequate documentation were unnecessary and could have been avoided.
Recounting her personal experience, she shared, “Upon returning from London, I received calls informing me that my shop had been consumed by fire. It was devastating as I had plans to reopen after the Eid-el-Fitr break only to find everything reduced to ashes. The extent of my loss is immeasurable as I had recently unloaded two 40-foot containers of stock into my store.”
Addressing the fire’s cause, she attributed it to a generator repairer’s negligence, emphasizing the need for assistance from both the Federal and Lagos State Governments due to the significant losses incurred.
Reflecting on the government’s response, Allison criticized Sanwo-Olu for what she perceived as a lack of empathy in his communication and actions.
Indicating the emotional toll on the victims, she stressed the urgency of government compensation to aid in their recovery.
Toyin Dosunmu, another affected individual and a resident of the market, echoed the plea for government support to restore the market infrastructure, emphasizing the urgency of the situation, especially for elderly individuals like her.
Efforts to contact the governor’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, as calls to his phone went unanswered and text messages remained unacknowledged.