By Sainabou Gassama
Late night fire in Serekunda Market on Monday has destroyed about D1million worth of materials, as affected businessmen appealed for help.
Momodou Konteh, a shop owner and victim said: “I lost almost D85,000.00. I am the breadwinner of the family and I had 8 children which are all going to school and it’s from this selling that I am able to cater for my family.”
Lamin Ceesay also a victim said: “we have lost everything we have worked for so many years. I have lots of stuff in my stall; I have opened 17 ballots these days which now perished in the fire incident.”
He said he lost about D70,000 while he begged for support from the government and NGOs.
Tunko Konteh, owner of one of the stalls said the root course of the incident is unknown, saying they received a call when at home that their shops are on fire.
“The fire had consumed all our properties, I bought a new ballot D8, 500 which I opened yesterday, but didn’t sell anything from it I have other materials that are worth D75,000, this is the second time I am experiencing the same incident. Since the first incident occurred I have been struggling to make ends meet and also trying so hard to recover what I have lost and now this came happened again,” he stated.
Pa Jabbie Gassama, chairman of Serekunda Market, said: “In the morning, NDMA came but before they come the Deputy Mayor and some officials from the KMC came to sympathize with them concerning the damages and loses they encountered in the market. NDMA also came and did some record. What we lost is approximately D1million.”
“We have youths that are working in the market, from 35 years above, we are appealing to the government and other donors to help us stand back on our feet, NDMA too came here sees everything but let it not stop at only that they have to do something about it because this is a big lost to us,” he added.
