Sequel to the distress call received from Cross River SEMA of a fire disaster in Ikom main market in Ikom local Government in Cross River State, a joint assessment team made up of SEMA, DSS, Red cross, Representatives from Ikom LGA and market leaders, led by Head of operations, NEMA Uyo, carried out an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the extent of damage caused by fire.
The team was taken round the five lines that were affected in the market, and it was observed that the severity of the fire was beyond the coping capacity of the market traders. The incident destroyed/affected shops, goods worth millions of naira and cash was also burnt. The fire disaster affected over five lines (Togo, Gombe, Lagos, Italian, and Onitsha lines), containing 120 shops in each line, which amounts to a total of about 620 shops in all. Generally, the livelihoods of the affected market traders were seriously impacted.
The team also assessed the burnt petroleum tanker along Calabar road in Ikom which occurred on the 9th of April, 2024 at about 10pm at night, the incidence took a life, damaged 32 motorcycles, and burnt over 29 shops along the road side. The market leader Pastor Moris Ewonkom and his executives as well as the representatives from Ikom LGA Mr. Ajom David appealed for assistance from the federal government to cushion the effect of the disaster.
