A member of the Imo State House of Assembly, Samuel Chidiebere Ogbunikpa, has called on Governor Hope Uzodinma to direct the state fire service to improve its response to emergencies following the recent fire outbreak at Eke Okigwe Market.

Ogbunikpa made the appeal while moving a motion on the floor of the House, describing the market fire as devastating and noting that many traders lost valuable goods and property in the incident.

He urged the state government to take immediate steps to prevent similar disasters in the future and improve emergency response across the state.

The motion received widespread support from other lawmakers, who also appealed to Governor Uzodinma to provide relief for the affected traders.

Ogbunikpa further called on the government to provide essential firefighting infrastructure, including water boreholes, additional fire trucks and functional fire service stations to enhance emergency response.

He also urged the state government to rehabilitate the dilapidated Okigwe Fire Service Station, equip it with modern facilities and operational fire trucks, and consider compensating traders who lost their goods in the market fire.