The people and traders of Laranto Market in the Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, which was burned on Monday, have expressed their sadness over the unfortunate incident.

The market was burned around 2001 during the infamous Jos crisis between Christians and Muslims, an incident which saw many casualties who were buried in shallow graves.

Since that time, hardly a year passes without the market being caught on fire to mark its unfortunate anniversary.

When The Guardian visited the razed market site on Wednesday, Kokumoh Joseph, a trader whose shop was burned to ashes, said, “Laranto Market is built on the graves of people. And since then, the market remembers its anniversary by being on fire every year.”

Another resident of Laranto, who pleaded anonymity, added, “I do not eat or drink water at the Laranto Market during my days here in Jos, and I will never repeat it. During the crisis, I saw how humans were excavated and buried haphazardly, some bodies still fresh.”

Due to the enormous loss and destruction of property at the market during the Monday inferno, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the site immediately, leading a powerful delegation for an on-the-spot assessment. Fortunately, no life was lost.

On Monday, Governor Mutfwang led a delegation of top government officials to the Katako Market in Jos North Local Government Area, which was devastated by a fire outbreak on Sunday night.

During his visit, the Governor pledged to rally support for traders and remodel the market to enhance its functionality and create a thriving business environment.

Governor Mutfwang, visibly distressed by the incident, expressed gratitude to God that no lives were lost in the inferno. He sympathised with the injured and those who lost property, noting the immense hardship the fire had caused to the affected traders and their families.

The Governors visit marked a historic moment as he became the first Executive Governor to personally inspect the market in its 40 years of existence, despite the market having suffered several fire incidents during that period.

Saddened by the recurring devastation, Governor Mutfwang stressed that the fire occurred at a time when residents were already grappling with significant economic challenges.

He assured traders that the state government, in collaboration with the local government and market leadership, would develop plans to revitalise and remodel the market into a safer, more organised, and habitable trading hub.

The Governor also commended security agencies, the fire service, and public-spirited individuals for their efforts in containing the fire. He pledged to address the traders requests for improved infrastructure to minimise future incidents.

“Very soon, we will unveil our plans for the Terminus Market and other markets across the state to make them more functional and effective. We aim to provide safe environments for all traders to earn a decent living for themselves, their families, and the state.

“Our vision is to expand market facilities to prevent congestion and improve accessibility. When these plans are unveiled, I am confident that the people will find them progressive and beneficial. I pray that God continues to preserve us for better days ahead,” he added.

The Chairman of the Katako Market, Sani Umar, appreciated the Governor for his timely visit and highlighted the market’s long-standing challenges.

He noted that the market has suffered fire incidents 39 times, attributing the recurring outbreaks to the lack of firefighting equipment, inadequate water supply, and poor market layout.

He disclosed that the affected sections of the market”comprising wood, clothing, and carpenter stalls”were completely destroyed, with property worth millions of naira lost in the blaze.

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