Get Guardian on GoogleResidents of Makoko have appealed to the government and well-meaning individuals for assistance to rebuild their homes after a fire destroyed several properties in the community.
The fire broke out in a section of the community known as Apolo after a gas cylinder exploded while a resident was cooking.
One of the victims, Francis Wobe, said: “I lost my tools, and many people could not salvage a single item from their apartments. We have been rendered homeless with nothing to fall back on.
“I have nowhere to go and no support, so the others and I desperately need help during this period. I don’t know what to do about this situation.”
Another resident, David Ikechukwu, said: “A young man caused the fire outbreak. He said he wanted to prepare something to eat and turned on his cooking gas, which exploded while he was cooking. He was lucky to escape alive.
“Many people were injured, and someone lost N700,000 in cash in the inferno. I sell Crocs footwear and lost 60 pairs in the fire. I have just been hanging around, trusting God for intervention. I would appreciate any assistance at this time. I also sustained injuries while running for my life, which are causing me a lot of pain.”
Narrating her ordeal, another resident, Omobowadun Iyamore, said: “The flames woke me up from sleep. I had to rush out to save my father, who is a stroke patient, and then returned to rescue my children.
I couldn’t save anything from my apartment. The clothes I am wearing were given to me by someone else.
“I am begging the government to come to our aid.”
Speaking with The Guardian, a candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, Olatunji Sanni, who visited the area to assess the damage, promised to work with other stakeholders to provide relief for the victims.
“These are my people; this is my constituency, and I am here to let them know that we stand with them. We are trying to see what we can do, not only to prevent this situation from happening in the future, but also to develop a master plan that addresses this type of crisis.
“This is not just a social issue but also an economic problem, and there must be a collaborative approach involving the local, state and federal governments. We must pass laws that specifically cater to people living in these conditions and provide them with support.”
Sanni added: “The government cannot do everything, but basic infrastructure should be in place. It is painful to see this. Livelihoods and properties have been lost, and things may never be the same for the victims, but we can rebuild from here. We are practising democracy, and we should be able to come to the rescue of the governed. The people need food, shelter and clothing, and stakeholders must join hands to provide immediate relief.”
