President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano to sympathise with victims of the Singer Market fire and demonstrate federal support.
This is contained in a statement Signed by spokesperson of the President, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday.
The delegation, expected to depart Abuja tomorrow, will deliver the President’s condolences to traders who reportedly lost billions of naira in the weekend inferno — the second fire incident at the market within two weeks.
On behalf of the Federal Government, the team will also pledge financial assistance to support affected traders and collaborate with the Kano State Government toward the swift reopening of the market.
Members of the delegation include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senator Kawu Ismaila; and Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Also on the delegation are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard M. Doro, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar.
President Tinubu had earlier spoken by telephone with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressing condolences to the traders and the people of the state over the devastating blaze.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, caused extensive damage to what is regarded as Nigeria’s largest food market. The President expressed concern that the latest incident occurred less than two weeks after a previous fire destroyed dozens of shops and properties at the same location.
He has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurring market fires, which have left traders counting heavy losses.
