The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials to the victims of a fire outbreak at Molete, Ibadan killing scores of people while several others sustained varying degrees of burns.

The incident happened in October 2014. A tanker laden with petrol had burst into flames around Molete market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and the wailings that followed was unimaginable.

To cushion the damage done to man and environment, the honourable member representing Ibadan South-East constituency in the seventh assembly, Dr Adebukola Ajaja, moved a motion during the life of the assembly that the incident was never visited, which prompted the house committee disaster management to visit the place on  15 May 2015.

The materials distributed included: bags of rice, cartons of milo, milk, bundles of roofing sheets, cartons of detergent soap, bags of cement, mosquito nets and foodstuff.

The Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-West zone in Lagos, Dr Onimode Bamidele, said that sequel to the visit of the committee on May 15 and Dr Ajaja's effort, the distribution was accomplished.

“It was easy for the committee to locate this place and to do a reassessment. Materials were recommended and the federal government has graciously approved these materials here today to alleviate the effect of the happening on these people,” Dr Bamidele said.

 He regarded the distribution of the materials as "not compensatory, but (the materials) are meant to assist the people that were involved.”

Lukman Ganiyu, who was a motorist before the fire burnt his hands severely, pleaded for government's assistance. “My wife has left me, I don’t want to beg and I can’t do anything with my hands any longer, I need help,” Lukman said amid tears.

While describing Dr Ajaja as a leader at heart with concern for her constituency, Dr Bamidele enthused that her pressure on government had yielded a result.

 “Once a leader, you are expected to be a leader for life; leadership is not transient; when leadership position is bestowed on you, it means there is an ability that has been identified by the people around you. So, her continuous pressure on government to look back at her constituency showed that she’s not just a politician, but a leader at heart. So, I encourage other leaders to please look back at the people that have given them the opportunity to lead and to always remember that there is always a tomorrow for payback.”

 Dr Ajaja, speaking with journalists, said, “My people are always my people, whether I am in a position or not I should be able to alleviate whatever is affecting them.”

However, she advised traders in Ibadan to stay away from the main road, “Assuming the gap to the main road was a little bit far when the incident occurred, they might have had an avenue to flee, but some traders spread their wares by the main road, which made the accident to be fatal. So, they should look for a safer place to display their goods,” she said,

Dr Bamidele, reacting to the issue of traders selling by the roadside, said, “They should stay at least 30 meters away from the highway so that if anything bad should happen, there will be enough space for anybody to escape.

“We should be conscious of the environment we live so that the environment will be sustainable for us and not become a danger to our lives."

While appreciating government's assistance, the Iyaloja of Molete market, Alhaja Iswat Oyinlola, prayed for Dr Ajaja and promised her of their ready support.