The Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has redeemed his ₦50 million pledge to traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at Oranyan Market in Ibadan.
The donation was presented on Thursday at the market premises by representatives of the governorship candidate, led by the Director-General of his campaign organisation, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe.
Other members of the delegation included Dr Tunji Olanipekun, Akogun Akeem Olatunji and other APC leaders who met with affected traders, market leaders and stakeholders.
The ₦50 million commitment was initially announced by Alli during his visit to the market following the fire, which destroyed several shops and left traders counting losses.
According to the campaign organisation, the money is expected to be channelled through the market leadership to assist affected traders with restocking and rebuilding their businesses.
Speaking during the presentation, Aderibigbe said the intervention was intended to demonstrate solidarity with traders who lost their means of livelihood in the fire.
“What happened at Oranyan Market was unfortunate and heartbreaking. Many of you lost goods worth millions of naira and your means of livelihood overnight. As your son and as someone who wants to lead this state, I cannot look away.”
The campaign organisation said the fulfilment of the pledge was a matter of principle and compassion, stressing that the intervention was intended to provide immediate relief to the affected traders.
Alli also called for stronger measures to prevent recurring market fires across the state, including improved firefighting equipment, better market infrastructure and insurance schemes for traders.
The APC candidate further promised increased support for traders and small business owners under an APC administration, including access to soft loans and improved emergency response mechanism.
The Oranyan Market fire occurred in the early hours of August 24, with several sections of the market affected and hundreds of shops reportedly destroyed.
Source: Senator Sharafadeen Alli's Campaign Organisation
