Shettima to Lead FG Delegation to Kano Over Singer Market Fire, Tinubu Pledges Support
Shettima Heads to Kano as FG Moves to Support Singer Market Fire Victims
Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Monday lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano State to commiserate with victims of the devastating fire at Singer Market.
The delegation, departing Abuja, is expected to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolences to traders who reportedly lost billions of naira in the weekend inferno that razed large sections of the market, widely regarded as Nigeria’s largest food market.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation will also announce financial assistance to help affected traders recover from their losses.
The Federal Government is further expected to collaborate with Kano State authorities to ensure the swift reopening of the market and restoration of commercial activities.
Members of the delegation include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senator Kawu Ismaila; and Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation.
Also on the team are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar.
President Tinubu had earlier held a telephone conversation with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to receive a situation report and express sympathy to the affected traders and residents.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, caused extensive destruction. The incident occurred barely two weeks after a previous blaze destroyed dozens of shops at the same market.
Expressing concern over the recurrence, the President directed a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the fires, noting that such disasters repeatedly leave traders in distress.
Authorities say further details on relief measures and the investigative process will be made public in due course.
