Trade Union Leader Confirms 50 Shops Affected by Onitsha Fuel Tanker Tragedy

… Narrates Experience

Polycarp Ifeanyi–Onitsha

As sympathizers continued to troop into Ogbaru Main Market, near Onitsha, Anambra State to commiserate with  victims of the recent fuel tanker incident that occurred along Onitsha–Owerri Road by Obodoukwu Road, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu who is the Chairman of the Market has stated that 50 shops was affected by the inferno.

Narrating his experiences to newsmen, Chief Ochiogu explained that he received a distress call that the Fuel Tanker fell at the front of Zenith Bank in the area.

” I  immediately called my Chief Security, Mr. Ogbogu Nwanodu and instructed him to release all fire extinguishers available in the office, open the whole water taps in the Market and get ready for the fire because I knew that fuel must flow down to the Market” 

He continued that shortly had he gave the order that he received another call that fire was already raging. “Before then I was on my way to the Market. I called the Anambra North Vigilante Chairman, Mr. Chinenye Ihenko (Okpompi) to beef  security to the Market, I called my fellow Market Chairman of Ogidi International Market, Mr. Jude Nwakwo for them to assist us with fire fighting trucks. 

“Infact, it was a terrible experience because the spilled fuel was already heading towards the Market with flame. We used sand, fire extinguishers, Omo and  water to quench it from flowing inside the Market” 

Chief Ochiogu however regretted that all the empties of fire extinguishers which they used to quench the fire were all  stolen by hoodlums. He said that the damages was enormous and traders who were affected were those their shops are located  along Obodoukwu Road.

He noted that he has done the much he could do, calling on the spirited individuals and government to assist the victims as all of them were left with nothing.