Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured traders affected by the October 15 Oluku tanker explosion that his administration will rebuild the destroyed market to a modern standard and provide financial assistance to help them restore their businesses.
The governor gave the assurance on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during the distribution of relief materials to affected traders by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA).
Okpebholo, who sympathised with the victims over the destruction of their shops, goods and sources of livelihood, said the intervention was part of efforts by the Federal and Edo State Governments to ease their hardship and support their recovery.
Addressing the traders, the governor assured them that the government would not abandon them, adding that the proposed reconstruction would provide a safer and more modern trading environment.
He explained that the previous market structures contributed to the extent of destruction during the fire and promised that the new facility would be constructed with improved materials and facilities to enhance the safety of traders and their goods.
The governor also disclosed that he had discussed the disaster and the losses suffered by the traders with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who subsequently directed action towards rebuilding the affected market.
He further promised that affected traders would receive cash support after reconstruction to assist them in restarting their businesses and rebuilding their livelihoods.
The assurance comes after the governor’s earlier visit to the devastated market on October 16, when he pledged that his administration would rebuild the facility and support those who lost their businesses.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of EdoSEMA, Hon. Jerry Idahosa, said the relief materials were made available through the intervention of President Tinubu in collaboration with the Edo State Government.
The items distributed included food supplies, sewing machines and water-pumping machines, intended to provide immediate assistance to affected traders and households.
Idahosa appealed to government agencies, private organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the recovery efforts, noting that the scale of the destruction had left many traders facing serious economic difficulties.
He also warned residents against approaching fallen tankers to scoop petroleum products, stressing that the practice could result in devastating fires and explosions.
He advised members of the public to move away from fallen tankers and immediately alert emergency responders through the national toll-free emergency number 112 or the EdoSEMA desk office hotline, 08140848899.
The Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Hon. Orobosa Christopher, commended President Tinubu for responding to the plight of the affected traders and praised Governor Okpebholo for facilitating the relief distribution.
He also acknowledged the efforts of EdoSEMA under Idahosa’s leadership in supporting victims of the disaster.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency, Arc. Emmanuel Fashanu, disclosed that the governor had directed his agency to conduct an immediate assessment of the destroyed market to determine the number of affected shops and the requirements for reconstruction.
Fashanu said the agency had completed the necessary designs and made provisions to accommodate all traders whose shops were destroyed.
He disclosed that a contractor was already on ground and that preliminary activities, including site pegging, were underway ahead of foundation excavation and construction.
According to him, the proposed market would feature standard shops and improved facilities to provide a better business environment for traders.
Two beneficiaries, Mary Adjarho and Mohammad Aliu, expressed appreciation to the Federal and Edo State Governments for the intervention.
Adjarho thanked the governor for the relief materials and appealed for continued support, while Aliu, who received a water-pumping machine, also commended the authorities for the assistance.
The Oluku tanker explosion occurred on October 15, 2026, along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Ovia North-East Local Government Area. A petrol-laden tanker reportedly fell near the market, spilling fuel that subsequently caught fire and spread to nearby shops, vehicles and other properties.
Initial reports by the police and media organisations gave differing figures for the number of people injured, with the Edo Police Command confirming eight people sustained burns, while other reports put the figure higher.
The incident destroyed the market and left several traders without their goods, shops and means of livelihood. The House of Representatives subsequently called for Federal Government assistance, including relief materials, financial support and rehabilitation for affected traders.
The lawmakers also urged relevant agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster and called for attention to dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku.
With the latest assurances from the governor, affected traders are now awaiting the commencement and completion of the proposed reconstruction, as well as the promised financial assistance to help them return to business.
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