Governor Zulum presenting cheque of N1bn to victims of Maiduguri Monday Market fire disaster at the Government House. Photo Credit: Dauda Iliya/ Radio Nigeria
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has presented a cheque for N1 billion for onward disbursement to victims of Monday Market fire disaster as an “emergency palliative”.
Governor Zulum presented the cheque while hosting the victims, most of whom were traders at the Market, where shops and goods worth billions of naira were destroyed by the inferno that engulfed the market early Sunday morning.
The Governor had, during a statewide broadcast on Sunday, announced a palliative of N1 billion which came after he visited the scene and mobilised armed forces to secure the market.
Receiving the victims at the Government House in Maiduguri, he once again sympathise with them over the “unfortunate incident”.
“As your governor, I will work with other stakeholders to do everything we can to provide the needed support to all victims,” Governor Zulum pledged.
“I have the assurances of President Muhammadu Buhari that the federal government will complement the effort of the state government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has appointed a former permanent secretary, Malam Zarami Dungus as Chairman of the disbursement committee.
According to the Governor, the fund is meant to provide “urgent support” to the victims, pending other measures to be taken by the state government.
He directed that the committee should comprise “representatives of all stakeholders associated with the market” which include – a representative of the Monday Market joint forum; a representative from the traders association; and another representative from the Monday Market car park.
Reporting by Dauda Iliya; Editing by Julian Osamoto and Tony Okerafor