By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has announced N1 billion support for victims of the Sunday morning inferno on Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Zulum stated this in a statement issued shortly after he addressed residents in a state-wide broadcast.
Zulum, who urged residents to remain calm, said that the state government was already reaching out to the federal government for support.
“I have approved the release of one billion nairas as emergency relief for us to quickly support victims of the disaster because we know that some of them may even have difficulty surviving the next few days. Many rely on daily businesses to cater to themselves.
Zulum also directed that a committee be set up to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the inferno.
“We are setting up an assessment committee that will comprise respectable individuals from our society including representatives of the victims, for us to speedily assess damages, and take a comprehensive list of those affected and their losses.
He assured that the state government would take measures towards preventing the reoccurrence of the fire disaster.
He further urged residents to remain apolitical and work with the government during this trying time.
“I urge us not to politicize this unfortunate incident. I recognize that the incident is happening at a political time, but we all know the Monday market has unfortunately faced fire disasters in previous times and this is sad.
“We have to find ways of ensuring this unfortunate fire disaster does not happen again and we will work together to ensure this,” he said.
