The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye (ADC, Anambra) during plenary.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Fire Service to enforce a strict response time of between three and five minutes to fire outbreaks and other emergencies across the country, just as it called on the Federal Government to establish a special intervention fund to assist victims of the recent inferno at the Head Bridge Building Materials Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye (ADC, Anambra) during plenary.
Leading debate on the motion, Nwoye, who is the Deputy Minority Whip, recalled that the March fire incident engulfed a section of the market dealing in plastics, tiles and high-pressure pipes.
“According to eyewitness accounts, the fire spread rapidly to adjoining sections, fueled by highly flammable materials,” he said.
He noted that the market is one of the largest hubs for building materials in the South-East, stressing that the incident has significant implications for regional commerce and supply chains.
The lawmaker further told the Senate that the inferno raged for over three days before it was eventually contained through the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service, local authorities and emergency responders from neighbouring areas.
Nwoye expressed concern that the scale of destruction was worsened by the absence of functional fire service stations and inadequate firefighting infrastructure.
“Goods and property worth over ₦3 billion were lost in the incident, including industrial pipes, plumbing materials and other essential building supplies,” he added.
He also highlighted the plight of affected traders, noting that many depend solely on the market for their livelihoods, adding that the disaster has left victims economically stranded and emotionally distressed, with likely ripple effects on economic activities in the region.
Following deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage and provide immediate relief materials to affected traders.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to establish a special intervention fund to support victims in rebuilding their businesses.
The upper chamber further urged the Federal Fire Service to establish and adequately equip a functional fire station within or near the market to ensure prompt emergency response, in line with the proposed three to five-minute response window.
It also called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other regulatory bodies to enforce strict compliance with fire safety standards in markets and commercial centres nationwide.
The Senate encouraged the Anambra State Government, in collaboration with market authorities, to strengthen emergency response mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.
It also mandated its Committees on Interior as well as Trade and Investment to investigate the incident, identify lapses and recommend measures to forestall similar outbreaks.