Bamenda Main Market fire incident: Authorities begin damage assessment, befitting market underway.

This was during assessment and evaluation of shops consumed by fire Thursday February 22.

The delegation to carry out the assessment was headed by the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh. He was accompanied by authorities of the City Council and market masters.

Victims of the fire incident were present on the site of their respective shops with identification documents, testifying their rights of ownership.

The team then evaluated the situation, took record of the damages and promised those who are affected to wait for further information and compensation in the days ahead.

According to the City Mayor, the damaged structures will be brought down for a befitting market to be constructed.

"What I can assure is that everybody has a value for his property. This market was constructed in the 1950s, when Bamenda had no electricity. These days, the market is accommodating electricity. A commission has already been created to redesign the market that will contend the standard even 50 years after," Mayor Achobong told traders. 

Appeal for solidarity

The municipal authority equally launched an appeal to all sons and daughters of the Region to come out and support those affected by the fire.

"I am appealing to all sons and daughters of Bamenda that this is the time for us to show solidarity to the people who have been keeping this municipality alive. In the days ahead, we will create a trust fund within the council so that we can reach all of these victims in a minimum way,” he said. 

Call for women to beg Biya on March 8

While revealing that about 90% of the victims are women, the City Mayor called on women to come out on Women's Day next March 8, at the Bamenda Grandstand and beg on President Paul Biya to support them.

"What I have ascertained here again is that 9/10 of the victims are women. I have told them that just with a thump print from the Head of State, this market will kickstart. I am appealing to the women to come out on March 8, show solidarity and make their cry heard," Achobong said.

While at the scene, several shop owners were called upon to declare the cost of their shops. Some pronounced sums amounting up to 50 million FCFA. 

The assessment and evaluation process are expected to go on for days. The exact date to commence works at the site was not revealed, but the City Mayor assured that the team is already putting things together.

Close to 300 shops were reduced to ashes in the course of the incident February 22. 

The City Mayor had in an interview blamed the incident on electrical fault, presumably from human mistakes.