We have been turned to paupers – Umuahia fire victims beg for assistance

Traders and craftsmen who were recently displaced from their businesses in Umuahia by a fire incident have called on the Abia State Government and public spirited individuals to come to their aid.

The traders who have been left in tears, sorrow and financial pain, said that the inferno which engulfed their shops, destroyed goods worth millions of naira and may throw them back into poverty.

The traders who spoke to journalists while clearing the debris of their charred property, cried that they have suddenly become poor and helpless because of the fire outbreak.

Mr Ubadire Amalambu, whose electrical materials shop was raised, lamented that he had lost equipments worth over N50 million, while a cosmetics dealer, Mr Nduka Nwabangwa said he lost N3 million worth of goods he recently restocked.

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Another trader, Mrs Mary Isaac Christopher whose cereals shop was burnt, said she lost N10 million worth of goods.

“We don’t know what next to do, our goods have perished. We bought most of them on credit and now we are stranded, ” Mrs Mary lamented.

Also, a rice dealer whose bags of rice were consumed, appealed to Governor Alex Otti to extend a helping hand to traders.

Abia State Chief Fire Officer, Arua Nnanna while confirming the fire incident, said that preliminary investigation indicated that it was cursed by suspected electric surge.