……as FG donates relief materials to victims
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday visited the Maiduguri Monday Market recently ravaged by fire.
The President during the visit toured the ruins of the Market commiserated with the government and people of the State on the unfortunate incident.
The President was also at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, to register his profound condolences to indigenes of the State who lost property and means of livelihood in the disaster.
The President visited the market, still smouldering five days after, with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council and some eminent citizens of the State.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, told the President that assessment on the level of damage is still ongoing.
She announced that the Federal government has provided immediate relief materials to the victims of the fire incident, including 20,000 bags of rice, 20,000 bags of maize and condiments.
The Minister pledged that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Borno State Government, would provide building materials to rebuild the market
After the assessment, the Ministry will submit a full report to Mr President to seek special intervention,” she said.
Governor Zulum said the market, which was built in the 1970s, with no fewer than 20,000 beneficiaries was completely destroyed by the fire.
Acknowledging the support by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, he said the State government has provided an immediate support of N1 billion.
“Even the N1 billion, if the traders share N50,000 each, I do not think that will be enough for them,” he said.
The Chairman of the Market Association, Awaji Bukar, expressed appreciation to the President for the visit, appealing for more support from the federal government.
Earlier at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the President said he was also in the State to commission projects executed by the Prof Zulum led administration.
“I am delighted to be here with the Shehu and the good people of Borno State, to commiserate with you on the unfortunate Monday Market fire incident.
“I’m pleased to be back to commission projects and be part of the unstoppable development drive of this great state.
“I’m equally happy that the state continues to strive for the normalization of its affairs following the enormous successes achieved in tackling the problem of security that had reached worrying heights in the past.
“I like to put on record my deep and sincere appreciation of the love and support of the people of Borno State. I don’t take this for granted.
“May Allah increase His blessings upon the Shehu and his people. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ he wrote in the Visitor’s notebook.
The Shehu of Borno appreciated the President for overseeing the return of peace and normalcy to the state.