Senate Seeks Urgent Action On Onitsha Market Fire Disaster

The Senate has taken steps to address the devastating fire outbreak at the Head Bridge Building Materials Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye (ADC–Anambra) during Wednesday’s plenary.

Presenting the motion, Nwoye, who is the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, recalled the tragic incident which occurred in March when a section of the market dealing in plastics, tiles, and high-pressure pipes went up in flames.

He said, “According to eyewitness accounts, the fire spread rapidly to adjoining sections, fueled by highly flammable materials.”

He noted that the market is one of the largest hubs for building materials in the South-East, making the incident particularly significant for regional commerce and supply chains.

Nwoye observed that the inferno raged for over three days before it was eventually contained through the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service, local authorities, and emergency responders from neighbouring areas.

He expressed concern that the absence of functional fire service stations and inadequate firefighting infrastructure worsened the scale of destruction.

“Goods and property worth over ₦3 billion were lost in the incident, including industrial pipes, plumbing materials, and other essential building supplies,” he said.

The lawmaker also decried the impact on traders, many of whom rely solely on the market for their livelihoods, noting that the disaster has left victims economically stranded and emotionally distressed, with potential ripple effects on economic activities in the region.

In its resolutions, the Senate urged the federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage and provide immediate relief materials to affected traders.

It also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to design and implement a special intervention fund to support victims in rebuilding their businesses and restoring the market.

The Senate further urged the Federal Fire Service to establish and adequately equip a functional fire station within or near the market to ensure prompt response to emergencies.

Additionally, it called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and other regulatory agencies to enforce strict compliance with fire safety standards in markets and commercial centres nationwide.

The upper chamber also encouraged the Anambra State Government, in collaboration with market authorities, to develop and enforce effective emergency response mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.

The Senate mandated its Committees on Interior, Trade, and Investment to investigate the incident, identify lapses, and recommend measures to prevent similar outbreaks.

The motion received widespread support from senators, who emphasized the need for coordinated action to protect lives, livelihoods, and critical commercial infrastructure across the country.