The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has consoled the traders in the Ogboji Area of Ose-Okwodu Market in Onitsha whose shops were consumed in an early morning blaze that engulfed the market today.

Describing the incident as “unfortunate,” Chief Obiano in a statement signed by his senior media aide, James Eze, regretted that the inferno struck at a time when his administration was striving to lay down the economic fundamentals of the state through his increasingly popular Anambra Wheels of Development which rests firmly on Trade and Commerce, Agriculture, Industrialisation and Oil and Gas.

He assured the affected traders that efforts were being made to ascertain the actual cause of the fire outbreak in order to forestall a future occurrence.

“Let me also assure you that my administration is determined to change the face of trade and commerce in Anambra State. We shall remodel existing markets to be able to resist the horror of persistent fire outbreaks. We are already building modern shopping malls in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka that will deliver a more wholesome shopping experience than what we currently have in Anambra State,” the governor explained.

He also assured the traders that his thoughts and prayers were with them at this moment of great financial loss.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano signing the 2014 Anambra State Appropriation Bill yesterday at the Government House, Awka, while Dr. Nkem Okeke (L), Deputy Governor, and Justice Peter Umeadi (R), Chief Judge, watch.