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Kano sets up committee over fire in markets as fire guts ATM booths

By From Ahmad Muhammad (Kano) and  Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri)
16 March 2023   |   3:24 am
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has set up an 11-member committee on causes of fire, which has caused substantial damage at three markets recently.

[FILES] Kano State governor Umar Ganduje

Borno market fire special account hits N2.8 billion
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has set up an 11-member committee on causes of fire, which has caused substantial damage at three markets recently.

The fire ravaged shops and the upper building of the old Savannah Bank at Singer Market.

Ganduje, who visited the scene of fire incidents at Kurmi and Singer Markets in the metropolis to commiserate with the victims, promised to assist the victims.

The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, in a statement, yesterday, said the committee was mandated to determine the immediate cause of the fire and ways of avoiding future occurrence.

He said the committee chaired by the Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Solid minerals, Mukhtar Ibrahim, is also to assess the damage and make recommendations on how government can offer support and assistance to the affected traders.

Also,three days after the fire incident at the Singer Market, three Automated teller Machines (ATMs), have been gutted by fire at a bank premises, Tafawa Balewa road in Nasarawa Local Council.

Spokesperson for Kano State Fire Service,  Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, who disclosed this  to newsmen,  said the agency received a distress call at about 12:06 p.m. from one Ghali Muhammad that there was fire outbreak at one of the commercial banks’ ATM.

According to him, personnel and fire fighting vehicles were deployed to the scene of the incident at about 12:11p.m., where they succeeded in putting out the fire.

Saminu stressed that three Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), were completely destroyed by the fire, while three were slightly burnt. He attributed the cause of the fire to an electrical fault.

Meanwhile, the Special Account for the reconstruction of the Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM), has hit N2.78 billion.

The market, built by the Mohammed Goni administration in 1979; was gutted by fire on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Announcing the increase, yesterday, in Maiduguri, the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Mohammed Zulum  said: “The donations so far received in respect of the fire incident have been properly documented. Zenith Bank has also donated N300 million to the market’s special account for immediate reconstructions.

“Other donations include; N20 million from Al-Ansar Foundation, while Matrix Nigeria donated N50 million.”

The  governor also warned mischief makers to stop spreading  misleading information about the donations.

According to him, some people are posting ghost donors, including the donation of N500 million into the special market account.

He urged the Dungus committee to regularly inform the public on the amount of money received into the special account.

While lauding the pace of reconstruction works, he said: “I’m satisfied with the progress of ongoing rehabilitation works at the destroyed market.

“The rebuilding and repairs are being accelerated to hasten the return of our traders and market women.

“This committee is doing a very great job and we have to support you.

Most importantly; we should beef up the security here to ensure the absolute safety of traders’ wares and other property.”

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