Senator Uche Ekwunife has moved a motion of urgent national importance informing the Senate of the two fire disasters that occured at Amawbia and Akwukwu, in Awka South and Idemili local government areas of Anambra State, respectively, last February.
The fire incident in Akwukwu destroyed hectares of palm plantations, crops, fish farms, farm houses and farm equipment valued at over N2billion, while the fire outbreak in Eke Amawbia Market destroyed goods whose value was put at over N1billion.
Presenting the motion, Senator Ekwunife, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, expressed worry that over 700 farmers and hundreds of traders have been totally impoverished as their sources of livelihood just vanished into the thin air.
“In these very hard times, the affected citizens are finding it extremely difficult to survive, especially in the face of the current excruciating economic challenges in the country. Their children and wards are now facing possible ejection from schools as a result of their inability to pay fees,”, the federal lawmaker said.
Adopting the motion, the Senate resolved to: commiserate with the victims of the two fire disaster incident on the damages incurred as a result of this fire outbreak;
Direct the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to provide agricultural inputs and other relief materials, as well as financial assistance to the victims of the fire disaster;
Urge the Federal and State Fire Service Department to investigate the fire incident to avert future occurrence.
