By Our Correspondent

National News – Monday Okpebholo has commissioned the rebuilt Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) shopping complex in Ekpoma, pledging financial relief to traders affected by a devastating fire incident earlier in the year.

The governor officially unveiled the reconstructed market on Saturday in Ekpoma, located in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, while announcing a N200 million support package for shop owners whose goods were destroyed.

The rebuilding effort fulfilled a promise made after the fire outbreak that razed more than 25 shops on January 11, 2026.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Okpebholo explained that the donation would help affected traders recover their businesses and return to normal commercial activities.

According to him, the government recorded the names of all victims whose shops and goods were destroyed in the blaze.

He added that the N200 million intervention fund would be distributed to ensure the traders regain stability and continue contributing to the local economy.

The governor recalled visiting the site shortly after the incident earlier in the year to assess the damage and sympathise with victims.

During that visit, he pledged that the state government would rebuild the market complex and provide financial assistance to traders. Saturday’s commissioning marked the fulfilment of that commitment.

Okpebholo emphasised that keeping promises to citizens is essential for building trust between government and communities.

He said the rebuilt POWA complex now provides safer and improved facilities for traders and visitors in Ekpoma.

The reconstruction project was carried out to restore livelihoods lost in the fire and strengthen economic activities within the area.

The January fire incident had destroyed goods worth millions of naira, leaving several traders temporarily without their sources of income.

With the rebuilt complex now operational and financial support underway, affected shop owners are expected to resume business activities while rebuilding their losses.

Local residents and traders who attended the ceremony expressed appreciation for the swift reconstruction of the market and the government’s financial intervention, describing it as a significant step toward restoring normal trading operations in the community.