Vice-President Kashim Shettima has announced a N5 billion Federal Government intervention for traders affected by the fire that destroyed parts of Singer Market in Kano.
Gatekeepers News reports that Shettima made the announcement on Monday during a sympathy visit to the market, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu to lead a federal delegation to Kano to convey the government’s “sympathy and support” to victims.
Earlier, in a statement on Sunday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the fire started on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, destroying sections of what he described as Nigeria’s “largest food market.”
“The president was particularly alarmed that the latest incident occurred less than two weeks after a previous fire destroyed dozens of shops and property at the same market,” the statement read.
Onanuga added that the delegation was to convey Tinubu’s condolences to traders who lost billions of naira in the blaze, which marked the second fire in two weeks at the market.
“The team will also pledge financial assistance to aid victims and support Kano State in facilitating the quick reopening of the market,” he said.
Speaking at the market, Shettima said the intervention was aimed at helping traders rebuild their businesses and restore commercial activities.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of N5 billion to support traders affected by the Singer Market fire,” he said.
“The federal government stands with you in this moment of hardship and will continue to provide the necessary support.”
Describing the incident as a national tragedy, the vice-president said the loss went beyond Kano State and affected the entire country.
Shettima was accompanied by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi and Imo states. He also offered prayers for the victims and expressed hope that such a disaster would not recur.
The Chairman of the Singer Market Traders’ Association, Junaid Zakari, thanked the Federal Government for what he described as a timely and generous intervention.
