AGENE GODWIN, Benin
Edo Government says that full investigation would be conducted to establish the cause of the fire that gutted the only ultra modern shopping mall in Benin.
Governor Godwin Obaseki who disclosed this on Sunday when he paid an on the spot inspection of the mall also said investigation would be conducted into the activities of the state fire service.
Obaseki, who was obviously shocked at the damage done to the mall described the damage as catastrophic and a major disaster.
According to him “This incident happening at this time of the year is a catastrophe. I have asked for written report and investigation into the cause of the fire. “We will also investigate the claim by an official of the state Fire service on the allegation of lack of equipment.
“Because I understand that trucks were distributed by the NDDC and the State Government during the last administration”.
The governor said that to avert future fire disasters in Super Marts and even vehicles, all vehicles and super Marts would henceforth be made to have fire extinguishers.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Super Mart, Mr Philip Edigin said that the fire started at about 12 mid night.
He disclosed that all efforts to get the State fire service to come to their rescue proved abortive as the fire service told him they had no diesel to work.
He said he was later able to get help from the Nigeria Air force fire service, IDSL NPDC and UNIBEN, before the State fire service came at about 6am.
Meanwhile, a supervisor in the State Fire Service, Mr Franklin Agbonlahor appealed to government for urgent upgrade of facilities and equipment of the fire service station.