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Ikot Ekpene Market Fire: Lawmaker Demands Swift Government Action, Functional Fire Station

 



By Asuquo Edem

Worried by the resultant effect caused by the inferno and the plight of affected traders of Ikot Expene Main Market, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately assess the damage and provide relief materials to assuage the conditions of affected traders.

The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong who prisided over Plenary mandated the Clerk, Mrs. Nsikak Orok, to officially notify SEMA through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi. The directive followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Jerry Otu, member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency.

Hon. Otu while presenting a Matter of Urgent Public importance before the House, described the incident as a crippling blow to hundreds of traders, many of whom had stocked goods on loan ahead of the Christmas season. He appealed for prompt intervention to cushion the impact and restore the livelihoods of the victims.

Speaking with Assembly Correspondents after plenary, the lawmaker—who also chairs the House Committee on Information—lamented the absence of a functional fire service unit in Ikot Ekpene, a gap he said contributed significantly to the extent of destruction. He urged the state government to establish a well-equipped fire service station in the area, staffed with trained professionals to respond swiftly to future emergencies.

Hon. Otu also reaffirmed collaboration with the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Hon. (Elder) Aniefiok Nkom, to mobilize additional relief efforts for the affected traders.

In a separate development, the Akwa Ibom State 2026 Appropriation Bill, submitted last week by Governor Umo Eno, scaled through second reading. The Speaker, Elder Udeme J. Otong, subsequently referred the bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative scrutiny, with a mandate to report back within 20 working days.

The House adjourned plenary to resume on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 3, 2025 at 5:09 AM

    If Ikot Ekpene had a Royalty, the house member should be a Duke. He’s absolutely doing the work of a legislature; to lobby the government and urgently call to action when there’s an emergency situation affecting the security and the entire wellbeing of his constituents. He’s done this several times

    ReplyDelete

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