Heavy Rain Wrecks Havoc In Enugu

Heavy rain storm damaged many exhibitors’ stands at the ongoing Enugu International Trade Fair on Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The heavy down pour, which lasted for about an hour, also destroyed goods worth millions of naira.

The stands that were mostly affected include those of Vita Foam, Emily Restaurant and Emirates Group from Egypt.

The roof of the Press Centre, provided to facilitate media coverage of the fair, was blown off by the winds.

The Sales Manager of Vita Foam Nig. Ltd, Mr. Boniface Ajaegbu, confirmed that the storm destroyed their stand and some goods.

“We are trying to put the stand in order and make the stand look attractive, once again.

“We deal in foams and pillows and some of them are now wet, having absorbed much water,” Ajaegbu said.

Ajaegbu suggested that Enugu Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ECCIMA), the organisers of the fair, should put up permanent structures for future fairs to check such damages.

Mrs. Ngozi Eke, Manager of Emily Restaurant, said that ECCIMA should pay compensation to companies affected by the storm.

“We spent over N1 million just to build our stands and now everything has vanished.

“Gate fees should be reduced to enable customers visit the fair,” Eke added.

Mr. Nagy Rizk, a Sales Representative of the Emirate Group, said the group arrived the fair on Wednesday and “today (Thursday) our goods are damaged.

“We have made our complaints to the chamber and all we received in reply is sorry.

“This is our first time at the fair and it is going to be our last,” Rizk said.

NAN reports that stands and goods of many other companies were destroyed by the rainfall.