On Sunday, January 27, 2013, fire gutted down the Marché Central de Bujumbura (Central Market of Bujumbura) resulting in casualties and destruction of property worth millions of francs. In solidarity with the citizens of Burundi, EALA has today passed a Resolution commiserating with President Pierre Nkurunziza, the Government, the business community, traders and the affected families upon the great loss.
The Resolution moved by Hon Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo invokes sympathy following the tragedy and appreciates the quick assistance and rescue efforts offered by the Burundi Government and other EAC Partner States namely: the Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Assembly further urges the EAC Council of Ministers to put in place Disaster Risk Management mechanisms giving guidance on measures that are needed by Partner States to minimize the catastrophic effects of such disasters.
“The nation has suffered despair, pain and sense of loss that has been occasioned by the disaster”, outlined the Resolution in part. It supported efforts by the Burundi Government to alleviate suffering including efforts to work with financial institutions to prepare financial facilities to restart their livelihoods.
The market inaugurated in 1994 and which is renown in the East African region has continued to play a fundamental part in driving the economy of Bujumbura and the entire Republic. It not only merchandises foodstuffs, building materials and other hardware accessories, but it is acclaimed for stocking some of the finest Vitenge materials in the region. The unfortunate tragedy has thus rendered thousands of people who depend on the market for their daily upkeep, jobless and dealt the economy of the country a major blow.
Contributing to the motion in the House, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Dr. Richard Sezibera hailed the Partner States for quickly putting together support for the Republic of Burundi. Other contributions and messages of sympathy came from Hon Abubakar Zein, Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Hafsa Mossi, Hon Saoli ole Nkanae and Hon Nusura Tiperu.
Earlier on, the Speaker of EALA sent a message of sympathy to President Pierre Nkurunziza, the Government and citizens of Burundi following the disastrous fire.
As at time of press, the authorities were still carrying out investigations on the cause of the fire. According to Burundi’s Minister for EAC, Hon Leontine Nzeyimana, 33 persons were admitted in various hospitals following the fire accident and their conditions were stable. At the moment, only 3 persons are admitted, Hon Nzeyimana said. The Minister clarified that there were no loss of lives recorded. She remarked that the Government had further identified an alternative site where the business persons shall be relocated to.
The Chair of the Council of Ministers Hon Shem Bageine remarked that it was necessary for some ways and means to be found to enable those affected to re-start their lives.
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For more information, contact Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly, Tel: +255-27-2508240, Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko@eachq.org, Web: https://www.eala.org
