The Singer Market Fire Relief and Fund Disbursement Committee have began on spot assessment of the devastated inferno to evaluate the level of damage and materials lost with a view to appropriate relevant supports to victims.

Besides, the committee enlisted security apparatus including the Nigerian Police, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant stakeholders for transparency and equitable distribution to genuine victims.

Several billions of naira worth of goods and valuables were destroyed in devastating fire outbreak that engulfed some sections of Singer market on two consecutive occasions recently.

The gravity of the economic lost incurred by several traders attracted the cash support of President Bola Tinubu who donated the sum of N5 billion as palliative to the victims. Similarly gesture also came from the Progressives Governors who equally doled out N3 billion capital to ease the collosal lose recorded during the disaster.

Secretary to the State Government SSG, Alh. Umar Faruq Ibrahim who is chairing the high powered committee consist of stakeholders from various sections told journalists that affected traders have been invited to account for damage assets.

Alh. Ibrahim who revealed the extent of property damage in the market worth billions of naira , besides the lost of lives, asserted the committee’s preparedness to ensure equitable disbursement of relief material and intervention to verify traders.

Although the SSG disclosed the committee is under strict directive to ensure transparency and accountability of public funds entrusted, he warned that suspected false claim will not be tolerated. He said several layers of security agencies were brought on board to authenticate claims warned that anyone who falsify submission to the committee will be treated as criminal.

The SSG said despite the N8 billion intervention, the extent of damage in the market according to interim assessment way more than N20 billion, while appealing for more support to restore the economy devastating suffered to the inferno

“The main purpose of visiting the site of the unfortunate fire disaster in Singer market is to prepare the members of the committee the opportunity to enable first-hand assessment of the extent of the damage to properties in the market. You can see the extent, apart from death, such destruction is our most devastating experience a human being can endure.

” The committee in line with it’s mandate will do the best to see that we provide succor to those affected. We also delivered a message, a very powerful message based on certain intelligence that we had in the market. We delivered through the DSS, EFCC, Police that this committee is made up of people who have advanced in age, whose integrity is at stake, and they will not compromise on the mandate given to them by the government.

”  Another clear message to the traders, particularly those affected is that, we will not condone or tolerate dishonesty. We will not tolerate anything that jeopardizes the purpose for which these funds were given by those who feel it appropriate to donate. Anybody who thinks he can use any trick to falsify a claim, well, we wish him well. Like the representative of the EFCC said, the least that he will suffer is he will forego whatever support that will go to him and worst would be a prisoner”. SSG added.