Electrical traders in Utako complain about the loss of a billion dollars in goods and ask for FG’s intervention

The Electric Dealers Association (EDA) in Utako District Abuja has appealed to the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) to mitigate the colossal loss suffered by traders following the fire that destroyed part of the multi-billion Naira complex last Sunday.

The fire affected around 50 shops causing major destruction of goods worth over ₦1 billion.

One of the victims, whose name was not disclosed, is said to have lost assets worth more than ₦500 million.

Another trader, Mr Edward Davis, said he lost more than N20 million worth of electrical goods in the inferno.

When asked about their next action, Davis said: “For now we are helpless, we trust that the government will help us restore our shops and we have also seen the effort of the EDA officials. They are working tirelessly to ensure that the market resumes normal activities.”

On behalf of the traders, an EDA official, Nze Boniface Chukwneta, praised firefighting agencies led by construction giants Julius Berger and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their prompt response which helped bring the inferno under control.

According to him, “If it had not been for the prompt intervention of the firefighters, the entire complex would have been completely razed to the ground.”

Although the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, the association said a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause and prevent future occurrences.

Project reports that the building built more than 20 years ago, exclusively by traders, contains around 340 shops.