Maiduguri Market Fire: Buhari Tours Site As FG Donates Relief Materials To Victims

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday toured the ruins of Maiduguri Monday Market, destroyed by fire recently, commiserating 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. 

Prof 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 deep appreciation to the President for the visit, appealing for more support from the Federal Government. 

Earlier at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, President Buhari said he was also in the State to commission projects executed by the Prof Zulum led administration. "I am delighted to be here".