By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
A fire outbreak at the GSM Village in Lokoja on Thursday morning destroyed assorted cellphones and other electrical devices valued at over N500 million.
According to reports, the fire began around 3:30 a.m. at the village located along the Marine area of Lokoja. Emeka, a cellphone trader at the village, revealed that the fire was triggered by a power outage, leading to the loss of goods worth over N50 million.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo visited the scene to sympathize with the victims and directed the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA) to assess the extent of the damage. The Governor assured the victims that the state government would support the rebuilding of the GSM Village at Kpata in Lokoja to help restore their livelihoods.
Governor Ododo expressed concern over the severity of the damage, describing it as a significant setback. He promised that the state government would provide immediate relief measures and initiate plans for the rebuilding and recovery of the affected properties.
He acknowledged the crucial role the GSM Village plays in providing a reliable and legitimate source of income for many youths and women in the state, positively impacting the local economy. The Governor’s visit rekindled the traders’ and residents’ determination to rebuild and return stronger as a business community.
Traders and residents expressed their gratitude to the Governor for his support and solidarity during this difficult time.
