Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has approved another N1 billion for reconstruction of Maiduguri Monday Market which was engulfed by a fire disaster in the early hours of Sunday.
The approval was announced by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Usman Jidda-Shuwa, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, during the inauguration of a committee that would coordinate all matters relating to the market fire incident.
The SSG during the inauguration on behalf of the governor said “As a responsible and responsive government, we cannot fold our hands and let the situation be as it is, but rise to our responsibilities and do the needful to salvage the situation for the betterment of our people.
“I’d been making frantic efforts in providing palliative measures to boost their resilience. In this connection, I made some commitments which include the constitution of this high-powered committee, I have also approved the sum of N1 billion for immediate disbursement to the victims for the upkeep of their families,” the governor said.
The 23-member committee inaugurated comprised Engr. Zarami Dungus as the Chairman of the committee.
“The committee also includes Chairman 8 Joint Forum Monday Market, the Chairman Traders Association, One Representative each from the 60 Pillars, Rep. Office of the SSG. While General Manager, Monday Market serves as secretary of the committee,” it added.
According to the statement, the governor said the committee would appraise and determine the immediate and remote causes of the fire, as well as factors responsible for its wild uncontrollable nature.
“They will also meticulously assess and ascertain whether or not there are specific individuals who may be directly or indirectly responsible for the incident and apportion blame appropriately.
“Thoroughly examine the magnitude of the fire and the extent of the damage caused to physical structures, assess and determine the type of and amount of relief assistance to the affected victims.”
He added that the committee would compile and determine the actual number of persons who suffered losses and amount of property each trader lost to the fire disaster.
The governor said the committee would examine the original design of the market and determine alterations made to accommodate more traders and how that contributed to the uncontrollable nature of the fire.
It would also determine the extent to which commercial activities have been disrupted and suggest suitable site for the construction of another market.
The governor directed the committee to commence the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged structures in the market while investigation is going on.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Zarami Dungus, expressed gratitude to the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state, and assured the governor of transparent and accountable execution of the task given to them.
The governor had on Monday presented a cheque of N1 billion to be distributed to victims of the fire disaster to serve as emergency relief pending other measures by the government.
