Traders affected by the recent fire outbreak in a popular area in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria have received palliatives from the governor, Professor Bassey Otu to cushion the impact of the disaster on their means of livelihood.
Governor Otu, who visited the scene of the incidence alongside his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, sympathised with the traders over the loss of their shops and goods, which they noted was worth millions of naira.
Otu assured the traders, most of whom were oil palm dealers, of his administrations commitment to rebuild the stores within the shortest time.
According to the governor, “the government is saddened by what has happened given the level of losses recorded. This is very serious considering that this is the centre of trade for the Hausa Fulani community in the state capital.
“We will immediately make available the sum of N10 Million Naira and then quickly help in rebuilding the stores. For those, who have lost almost all they have here, I will say so long as there is life, there is hope and God. The Almighty Allah will provide again,” he said.
The governor urged the traders not to be discouraged by the setback, saying, “things will happen, but your resilience determines it all. We will do the very best that we can to bring back life to normal here.
“The new government is trying to put structures in place and in not too distant time, I believe that we will start functioning at the optimum level that is expected,” Otu stated.
Unknown cause
The head of the Hausa Fulani community, Garba Lawal expressed appreciation for the visit of the governor and his entourage to the scene of the inferno.
Lawal disclosed that the shops were gutted by fire during the congregational prayers, when most of the traders converged on the mosques.
He stated, “we still do not know how the fire started till now. But, I am happy that you are here to see firsthand the damage caused by the fire. We really appreciate this visit. I also use this opportunity to thank the fire fighters. If they did not come when they did, the situation would have been worse.
He thanked the governor for the donation, explaining that it would go a long way to cushion the effect of the fire on the affected traders and expressed hope in the government’s ability to support the traders to build the shops.
Lateefah Ibrahim
