Senator representing Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, has assured South East traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that he will fight for their interest in the National Assembly.
Addressing a crowd of traders at Dei Dei Timber Market in FCT, where he went to commiserate with them over the recent fire incident in the market, Umeh said the era of treating issues that concern Igbo traders with levity has gone.
Umeh, who is the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Employment was recently sworn in after emerging victorious in the Anambra Central rerun election. He said he is in the National Assembly to provide quality representation and assure the traders he would always speak for them.
He admonished them to be law abiding and join forces with patriotic Nigerians for the development of the country.
“I am here to commiserate with you over the fire incident that destroyed your businesses. Though I am just settling down for my legislative duties, I said I must come around to sympathise and encourage you people.
“I will be a senator who will always stand and speak for the people. That is what effective representation is all about. You must always obey the laws of the land,” he said.
The senator charged them not to give up and described their misfortune as momentary setback.
“I feel pained by the quantum of losses you incurred. I, particularly, feel sad that the loss may have been reduced if there was a fire station in the market. I will work with my colleague representing FCT, Senator Philip Aduda, to address some of the challenges you are facing.”
Umeh, who received applause from the crowd, made some financial donations to those directly affected, market association and the youth.
He used the occasion to intimate them of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led government in Anambra State. He said Governor Willie Obiano has transformed the state, explaining that the government has adopted community development approach which entailed releasing funds to communities to execute specified development projects.
Responding, spokesperson for the traders, Chief Francis Aniezue, lamented that the fire incident has brought untold hardship on them. He called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well the FCT Emergency Agency (FEMA) to come to the aide of the affected traders. He put the total figure of losses at N1.5 billion.