Benin – Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo said on Wednesday that the state goverment would provide N30 million for the reconstruction of the burnt Dumez Road Market in Benin.
Oshiomhole made the pledge in Benin when he visited the site of the relics of the market, in company of some members of the State Executive Council.
He said in spite of the paucity of funds in the state, arising from dwindling allocations from the Federation Account to the states, government would source for funds to meet the obligation.
Oshiomhole noted that as governor. he was aware of the importance of commerce to the state, saying that it was a means through which many homes and families were assisted.
He, therefore, assured the traders that reconstruction work at the market would begin immediately, while urging the traders to remain calm and to diligently carry out their responsibilities.
The governor promised the traders that as a matter of urgency, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Anena Jemitola, would be directed to take the statistics of all those affected.
He said that government would provide financial assistance to the traders, to enable them to be able to start-off their businesses once again.
Earlier, Mrs Stella Ekoma, who spoke on behalf of the traders, said that there were 370 shops prior to the fire incident, but said only 30 shops were not affected by the inferno.
