From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Tuesday, visited the scenes of three major markets in the ancient commercial city of Kano, recently gutted by fire.
He shrugged at the extent of damages caused by the inferno and set up an 11-man Committee to take stock of the damages and look into the immediate and remote causes of the fire outbreaks.
The affected markets include: Abubakar Rimi Market, Singer Market, and Kurmi Market.
He commiserated with traders whose goods and shops were destroyed by the fire.
According to a Statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, the Committee is mandated to determine the immediate cause of the inferno and ways of avoiding future occurrence.
He furrher stated that the Committee, which is to be chaired by the Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Solid Minerals, Barr. Mukhtar Ibrahim, is also mandated to assess the damage and make recommendations on how the government can offer support and assistance to the affected traders.
Other members of the committee are Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, co-chairman; Malam Muhammad Garba, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs; Alhaji Uba Zubairu Yakasai, Managing Director, Abubakar Rimi (Sabon Gari) Market Company.
The rest are Alhaji Tijjani Jiyali, chairman, Gidan Savannah Traders’ Association, Singer Market; Alhaji Ya’u Idris Karas, chairman, Kurmi Market Traders’ Association; Alhaji Auwalu Bature Garkuwa, chairman, Board of Trustees, Kurmi Market Association; Alhaji Aiwalu Anyayo, chairman, ‘Yan Chitta Traders’ Association, Kurmi Market and Alhaji Ya’u Adamu, chairman, ‘Yan Leda Traders, Kurmi Market.
Ganduje described the fire incidents which claimed goods and property wörth billions of Naira as, “a national tragedy.”
Another Statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, indicated that Ganduje sympathised with the victims of fire outbreaks in Kano markets of Kurmi, Abubakar Rimi and Singer of recent.
Ganduje advised traders and all residents of Kano state to be mindful of their electrical appliances at all times, particularly, while leaving homes and business premises.
He, however, prayed that God give the fire victims the fortitude to bear the loss.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Kano state, I am extending our sympathetic message to all those who lost their valuables. May Allah see them through in their future endeavors.
“This tragedy is not only for the shop owners alone, it is for all of us. In fact, this is a national tragedy. May Allah give them the courage to take this as Divine trial from Allah,” he prayed.
He said efforts are on top gear to ascertaining the remote and immediate causes of the fire incidents.
