Fire outbreak at Ede Plaza in Jabi Market

I am deeply saddened by the fire outbreak at Ede Plaza in Jabi Market, Abuja, beside Sandralia Hotel, in the early hours of today.

My heart goes out to the traders, artisans, workers, families and business owners whose goods, investments and livelihoods may have been affected by this unfortunate incident. For many of them, what has been lost is not simply merchandise; it represents years of savings, borrowing, sacrifice, hope and the determination to build a better life.

As a country, we cannot continue to lose businesses and livelihoods repeatedly to preventable disasters. Each time this happens, we gradually lose our productive capacity. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and when a trader loses a shop, we should understand that a family may lose its income, children may lose educational opportunities, workers may lose their jobs, and an entire community may suffer economic instability.

The true measure of development is the extent to which government projects and investments improve and protect the lives and livelihoods of its people.

As we grieve what has happened at Jabi Market, let us not wait for another market to burn before we act. Let this tragedy become a reason to strengthen our emergency-response systems, especially by ensuring that our fire service is properly equipped, adequately staffed and capable of responding swiftly to emergencies.

We must protect our small businesses and ensure that Abuja, and indeed Nigeria, becomes a safer place to live, work and invest.

May God comfort every person affected by this disaster, restore the livelihoods that have been lost, and grant our emergency responders the strength and wisdom required at this difficult moment.

A safer and more prosperous Nigeria is POssible. -PO