Victims of the fire that gutted Eke-Ukwu Market in Okigwe, Imo State, on Monday night are counting their losses and appealing to the state government, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals for support to rebuild their businesses.

The cause of the fire, which engulfed the bustling market in the early hours of Monday, is yet to be determined. The inferno destroyed goods worth millions of naira belonging to scores of traders.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Government, the State House of Assembly and security agencies have pledged to investigate the cause of the incident.

In separate messages made available to The Guardian on Thursday, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe (Ihitte/Uboma Constituency); the Senator representing Imo North (Okigwe Senatorial District), Patrick Ndubueze, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for the zone, Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu; and other prominent personalities expressed sympathy with the victims.
Some of the affected traders, identified simply as John and Okechukwu, described the incident as devastating and appealed for financial assistance to enable them to restock their shops.

“I appeal to the Imo State Government to assist us so we can get back on our feet. We have lost so much,” John said.
Okechukwu added: “This disaster has left us devastated. I appeal for assistance because this business is our family’s source of livelihood.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Peter Uwa, Olemgbe described the fire as an “unexpected and unfortunate disaster,” noting that traders, artisans and other business owners who depended on the market for their livelihoods had suffered enormous losses.
He said Eke-Ukwu Market was not only a commercial hub but also a centre of communal, economic and socio-cultural activities for people in Imo State and neighbouring South-East states.

“Eke-Ukwu Market is not just a place for buying and selling; it is a rallying point for communal life and economic activities. This is a huge blow to the economy of the South-East,” he said.
The Speaker urged the victims to remain hopeful, expressing confidence that the state government, in collaboration with the Okigwe Local Government Council and security agencies, would thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire.

Senator Ndubueze, who visited the scene of the incident, lamented the huge losses suffered by traders and pledged to pursue measures that would provide relief and support for the affected victims.
In his condolence message, PDP senatorial candidate Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu described the incident as a painful tragedy that had destroyed businesses and livelihoods.

He sympathised with the victims and assured them of his commitment to supporting recovery efforts and attracting interventions aimed at rebuilding the market.
“Your resilience is our strength, and your restoration is my responsibility. Together, we will rise from this setback and rebuild a stronger and more prosperous Eke-Ukwu Market and community,” he said.