The Kano State Government has constituted a 23-member high-level committee to oversee the disbursement of N8 billion in financial support and relief materials to the victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inferno, which affected several sections of the market on two separate occasions, resulted in significant economic losses as the traders lost goods and business capital believed to be worth billions of Naira.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday in Kano, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruq, said the committee was mandated to ensure the equitable and transparent disbursement of the intervention funds.
Faruq, represented by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude, SAN, said that the members were carefully selected from relevant sectors to ensure credibility and accountability in executing the assignment.
According to him, the committee, chaired by the SSG, is expected to promote transparency, accountability and fairness in distributing the resources to genuine beneficiaries.
Other members of the committee include Commissioners, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders and representatives of the affected traders
He said the committee would identify the extent of damages, assess material and capital losses suffered by traders and develop an effective disbursement framework.
The SSG added that the committee would also evaluate challenges within the market and recommend measures to prevent recurring fire incidents.
He stated that part of the committee’s terms of reference included timely disbursement of assistance as well as sustained engagement with stakeholders and the media to enhance public trust.
The Chairman of the Kano Traders Association, Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, commended the Governor for the prompt response and the structured framework established to distribute the intervention.
He also appreciated the Federal Government for sending a delegation to sympathise with the victims, pledging that the committee would carry out its responsibilities with fairness and sincerity.
He said although the exact number of the affected traders and the total value of losses were yet to be determined, the committee would ensure that only verified victims benefited from the intervention.
NAN also reports that the disaster attracted intervention from President Bola Tinubu, who approved N5 billion as palliative support for the affected traders.
Similarly, the Progressives Governors Forum contributed N3 billion to support the victims and aid recovery efforts.
Earlier, the victims of the Singer market fire outbreak had gotten N200 million cash support from Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf and the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin to ameliorate their pains. (NAN)
