![Women wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling station in Kano State on February 25, 2023. [PHOTO CREDIT@Sodiq Adelakun]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2024/08/Capture-5.png?resize=360%2C180&ssl=1)
Fire at a Palm Kernel Factory at Onuebonyi in Ebonyi State on Sunday destroyed equipment, raw materials and other property worth billions of naira.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter who visited the factory reported that all the property in the factory had been razed.
Emmanuel Alinchi, the factory owner and director of Perfect Growth Agro Industry Limited, said he had been in the palm kernel processing business since 2017.
Mr Alinchi explained that equipment and property worth N1 billion were lost to the inferno.
|
|
|---|
He said specifically that the factory’s raw materials, oil extracting machine, weighing scale and processing equipment were razed.
He added that feeds produced for customers, structures, fans and vehicles were also razed.
The factory owner attributed the fire incident to an electric power surge.
He stated that a section of the factory produced animal feeds for chickens, turkeys, and pigs and extracted vegetable oil from kernels.
“We also produce detergent, tablet and liquid soaps,”
How the fire started
Mr Alinchi narrated how the fire started.
“This incident happened early this (Sunday) morning and I was up because we do work at night, and the next thing I heard was a spark, and everywhere was on fire.
“I have over 50 direct and 150 indirect workers, but few were on the ground that helped with neighbours to salvage the situation before the firefighters arrived,” he said.
He commended the firefighters for their prompt response.
He called on the federal and state governments to assist him with land and financial support to return to business.
He promised to continue to engage young people and to assist the government create jobs.
Mr Alinchi’s business partner, Kennedy Chinaka, described the incident as “economic loss.”
Mr Chinaka also called on governments and individuals to help Mr Alinchi return to business.
READ ALSO: Troops repel attack on police station, kill five terrorists in Ebonyi – Army
The Chief Fire Officer of Ebonyi Fire Service, Ralph Ibiam, said his men arrived at the scene at 12 a.m. and were able to prevent the fire from spreading further.
He advised entrepreneurs to cite factories in an open and compatible environment.
(NAN)
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Times, we firmly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everyone can afford costly news subscriptions, we are dedicated to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked news that remains freely accessible to all.
Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates, in-depth investigations into pressing national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we value your readership.
It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses, and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution on a monthly basis to help maintain our commitment to free, accessible news?
Make ContributionTEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999
