Borno Market Fire Victims Get N1b Relief

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, has released N1 billion for disbursement to victims of the Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM) fire incident that destroyed their wares and goods. The victims’ shops and goods worth billions of naira were razed in the Sunday inferno that lasted for over six hours on Ahmadu Bello Way, Maiduguri.
  
According to him, the N1 billion was to provide urgent support to the victims pending other government measures. Presenting the cheque at the Government House, Maiduguri, the Governor said: “The N1 billion will be disbursed as an emergency palliative to the affected traders and market women,” noting that this was pending the outcome of the assessment by the market committee. 
 
He said that the Zarami Dungus-led committee will start to identify eligible victims before disbursing the cash support. Besides, he said the torched market is the largest in the Northeast region, but was completely razed down by fire that lasted over six hours. “I sympathise with you over the unfortunate fire disaster that razed the entire market. Many of you have lost your life savings in the fire. I urged the traders to take this as a trial from God. “I will work with other stakeholders to do everything we can; to provide the needed support to all fire victims. “I have the assurances of President Muhammadu Buhari that the Federal Government will complement the efforts of the state government.” On the composition of the Committee, he said: “It should comprise representatives of all stakeholders of the market, which include, representatives of the MMM forum, traders association, and the market car park, amongst others.”

Source: The Guardian