By Francis Sadhere
The 2014 Delta State trade Fair, on suffered a major setback recently as ravaging thunder storm destroyed properties and goods worth over one hundred million naira at the Delta State Trade Fair Complex in Osubi near Warri.
When our correspondent visited the Trade Fair Complex, he met the organizers and some exhibitors who were already on ground with their goods counting their losses to the thunder storm that took everybody on unawares.
The President of Delta State Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), Sir.(Chief)Simon Asite, told our correspondent that the 2014 Trade Fair tagged “Trade Beyond Oil,” was billed to be declared open on October 28, 2014 by the Commissioner of Commerce, Mr. Kingsley Emu.
“It is a very sad incident as you can see. We have been erecting stands and putting everything in place for proper takeoff. The programme supposes to be declared opened but as it stands now we have put everything on hold and we are counting our losses and planning the way forward.”
“The traders who have already arrived lost all that they brought. In fact we are holding meeting now and we have very lengthy list of what we lost here. We cannot say exactly what we lost but it is over one hundred million naira that we lost to the storm. So many companies have erected their stand waiting for official opening and because of this disaster we are putting everything on hold,” Sir Asite said.
Sir Asite appealed to Delta State Government to come to the rescue of the exhibitors financially to cushion the effects on them, just as he advised the exhibitors to summon courage and bear whatever loss they might have encountered, adding that DACCIMA has resolved to give concession to the exhibitors affected by the storm at the International Trade Fair billed for next year.
Consultant to Delta State Trade Fair Complex Osubi and Managing Director of Crown Media limited, Mr. Nwabuoku Emmanuel, described the ravaging storm as “alarming” saying that it happened at about 2:15pm yesterday. “There was a heavy storm that led to this serious disaster. It was so heavy that goods worth hundreds of millions have gone down the drain and we are trying to talk to all our participants.”
“NIMASA have been here to pick the remains of their goods that was destroyed. DESOPADEC, they sent a representative here also from their office that covered all the destroyed goods. We have Coca-cola. Royal Mall is packing the pieces of their goods. Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, so sorry for what happened.”
A staff of Crown Media Limited, Mr.Godstime Akpovwovwo who witnessed the scenario, said, “I just drove in, getting to the site, the rain started drizzling. Before I knew it, it increased and a very serious storm followed. It was a surprise actually. I saw tents flying, zinc flying everywhere. I was reversing with full speed until my friend inside the car said I should stop and let’s observe. After a while I brought my cam and started recording and took the pictures to my director in his hotel. We have started calling people to come and salvage their goods.”
According to Mr. Akpovwovwo, “If the government erects structures in the place, I don’t think this thing will re-occur. They should do something about it since we are talking about Trade Beyond Oil. Let’s work towards Trade Beyond Oil by building the place and make it a conducive place for every exhibitors that will come in.”
A Security Man with the Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku who also witnessed the ravaging storm, Mr. Simon Egege, corroborated Mr. Godstime Akpovwovwo, saying, “About 3pm the weather completely changed after my Oga Mr. Akpodiete who brought us here had left. From Showering of rain the sun started then a heavy storm of which I don’t understand in my presence both canopies everything started flying away as you can see, everywhere is leveled now. Both our canopy is nowhere to be found. The welding and farication items are broken.even the one for the Art Department is already damaged”.
Director Erolex Nigeria Company, Mr. Frank Ziku who expressed worries over the huge loss encountered by his firm, noting that he was in church when he was informed of the development. He said that his properties were destroyed. “My things are destroyed by storm and asking me questions will not help me”.
