Following the fire that razed down Akesan market, a popular market in Oyo State, the Federal Government on Thursday handed over building materials to the Oyo State Government for the reconstruction.

The materials were handed over to the state government on Thursday evening in Oyo town through the National Emergency Management Agency.

The materials includes; 1000 bags of cement, 1000 bundles of roofing sheets, 200 packets of zinc nails and 100 bags of nails.

NEMA Director-General, Mr Mustapha Maihaja, said the materials were to support the efforts of the state government in the reconstruction of the burnt market.

Maihaja, who was represented by Dr Onimode Bandele, NEMA Assistant Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, said that the materials would help in restoring hope to traders in the market.

“On the 5th of January, a rapid assessment was conducted by the Zonal Office and because of the nature of the incident, the federal government has provided these building materials to support the reconstruction of the razed market.

“It is our belief that with the plan in place, these materials will go a long way in supporting the government’s efforts in bringing back hope to the market traders,” he said.

Also, the Secretary of Oyo State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Luqmon Aransi, thanked the federal government for the support.

He gave an assurance that the agency and the state government would ensure all necessary measures were adopted to forestall disasters in the state.

Aransi urged residents to always adhere strictly to various precautionary measures aimed at checking disasters.

He further urged the local government caretaker chairman and other functionaries to ensure judicious use of the materials in building an ultra-modern market.