MAIDUGURI MARKET FIRE: Reconstruction Begins , As GOC Commiserates With Shop Owners

Reconstruction of Maiduguri Monday market which was razed on Sunday by an early morning fire disaster is to begin this week, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced.

Zulum made this known on Monday when he received a group of prominent Borno citizens living in Abuja.

The citizens who came to Maiduguri were led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe on a sympathy visit to the government and people of Borno State.

Maiduguri Monday market, established about 40 years ago, was said to be the largest in the northeast sub-region, bringing together thousands of buyers and sellers.

“We are constituting a committee that will coordinate all matters relating to the Monday market inferno. Most importantly, the committee will look into the possibility of rehabilitating the stalls at the market. Insha Allah, the work will commence tomorrow (Tuesday).

“While we are waiting for support from the federal government, Borno State Government will not completely fold its arms waiting, we have to start somewhere”, Zulum said.

Governor Zulum expressed gratitude to the delegation which comprised the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mutawali Kashim Ibrahim Imam among other Borno indigenes.

Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation, elder statesman, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, commiserated with victims of the fire disaster.

He also commended the steps taken by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum towards cushioning the hardship faced by the affected traders.

“We appreciate the quick reaction of Your Excellency (Governor Zulum). We understand that you were out of town when the incident happened but on arrival, you went direct to the scene of the incident. You made a very inspiring broadcast and you immediately set up a committee to assess the tragedy and approved one billion Naira”, Amb. Kingibe said.

“Your Excellency, myself and Alh. Kashim Imam left Maiduguri just yesterday, we have planned for quite a number of us, sons and daughters of Borno to come in a delegation to commiserate with the people of Borno through Your Excellency over this tragic incident that overtook Maiduguri market three days ago”, Kingibe noted.

“The livelihood in Maiduguri revolves around the Monday market and indeed the other markets. Monday market, Maiduguri, is not just any old market, it is an old and historic market. We grief deeply over this tragic event” the elder statesman added.

 

… Imam donates N100m for victims

 

In continuation of offering support, the Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Alhaji Kashim Imam, on Monday announced a personal donation of N100 million to support victims of the Maiduguri market disaster.

 

Imam, a frontline politician was in Kingibe’s delegation and he spoke after Kingibe.

 

“The leader of the delegation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe has spoken on behalf of all of us, I also wish to join in commiserating with all those that were badly affected by this very sad incident. I also want to say that we share in their pains. I want to appeal to all indigenes of Borno, especially those that are in a position to assist the victims to immediately come to the aid. I wish to end my very brief comment by committing the sum of N100m”, Imam declared.

 

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Waidi Shaibu has commiserated with the Borno State Government and indeed the entire good people the State, most especially shop owners and traders who lost their wares and other valuables in the unfortunate fire incident which razed parts of the Maiduguri Monday Market in the early hours of Sunday 26 February 2023.

 

Lieutenant Colonel AY Jingina, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 7 Division , Nigerian Army, said in a statement on Tuesday

, 28th February 2023.

 

The GOC expressed his sadness at the unfortunate incident, especially as it occured during the ongoing 2023 general election period.

 

Following the unfortunate inferno and resultant  reactions of both traders and residents within the market vicinity, troops of 7 Division have scale up confidence-building patrols, amongst other more discreet activities to ensure miscreants do not take undue advantage of the situation to perpetrate their nefarious acts, especially as the nation is still in election mood.

 

Accordingly, troops of 7 Division Garrison and 7 Division Delta Force remained on alert and have sustained  robust show of force around the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, in order to allay fears, build the confidence of the citizenry and to also support emergency services and other responders within the ambit of their code of conduct.

 

“Once again, the GOC assures the good people of Maiduguri that the Nigerian Army remains committed to fostering a secure and peaceful environment, for the ongoing 2023 general election in the State. That the Nigerian Army is yet committed to supporting the Nigerian Police  and other relevant security agencies in nipping any untoward security situation in the bud,  in order to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

 

“Members of the general public are duly commended for their efforts so far in reporting election-related issues through our dedicated hotlines.  This has greatly enhanced our efficiency on the ground. You are please enjoined  to sustain this effort by giving us accurate and timely information on any breach of  security in your vicinity.”