Aleshinloye Market Inferno: Oyo APC to Makinde – Where Are the Fire Trucks?

…blames Governor for Repeated Market Fires

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has berated Governor Seyi Makinde over what it described as his administration’s failure to prevent recurring fire disasters across the state.

The opposition party expressed concerns following the devastating fire that gutted the popular Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan on Tuesday night, destroying goods and properties worth billions of naira.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists, the APC accused the Makinde-led administration of incompetence, negligence, and poor disaster management.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the traders who lost so much in money and property as a result of the unfortunate Tuesday night inferno, which has become a recurring decimal across the state. However, we must challenge the Makinde administration on its approach to safety, accident prevention, and emergency management,” the statement read.

Questions Over Alleged Fire Truck Procurement

The opposition party also raised concerns over the capacity of the Oyo State Fire Service, alleging that its inability to respond effectively to emergencies was due to a lack of functional firefighting equipment.

According to the statement, credible sources confirmed that firefighters could not contain the Aleshinloye inferno due to the unavailability of basic equipment.

“How does one explain that Oyo State can only boast of one or two firefighting trucks, even when Governor Makinde announced in 2020 that he had procured 10 fire trucks from Turkey with millions of naira in public funds?” the APC queried.

The party demanded that the government provide a detailed explanation on the status of the fire trucks and called for an urgent overhaul of the state’s fire response system.

Illegal Structures, Workers’ Strike Also Highlighted

Beyond the fire incidents, the APC also accused the Makinde administration of violating urban planning laws by allowing unauthorized construction in major markets across the state.

“Government agents have built lock-up shops and malls indiscriminately, blocking access roads, car parks, and emergency exits. This reckless behavior is endangering lives,” the party alleged.

The statement also touched on the ongoing industrial action by workers in state-owned tertiary institutions and health facilities, urging the governor to meet their demands to prevent further disruption in critical sectors.

APC Demands Immediate Action

The opposition party called on the state government to empower the Fire Service with adequate personnel and modern equipment.

“It is equally important to prioritize public safety through fire prevention awareness campaigns. Also, we demand full disclosure on the 10 firefighting trucks supposedly purchased from Turkey,” Sadare stated.