….. Promises to erect modern stores at fire scene
By Sixtus Uket (Calabar)
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has donated the sum of N10m to victims of the recent fire disaster in Bogbiri, Calabar, the State capital.
Prince Otu made the donation when he visited the scene of the incident.
He also assured that his administration will erect modern stores at the scene of the fire outbreak.
Bogobiri which is the Hausa/Fulani settlement area as well as the centre of trade in Calabar, the Cross River capital, was engulfed in flames recently.
The governor, who was touched by the extent of the damage and its effects on the victims described the incident as unfortunate and sad.
“To government, we are indeed very sad with what has happened here.
“For people who have never been here before, they will not know the extent of this carnage. This is very serious considering that this is the centre of trade for the Hausa community in this capital,” he stated.
Otu, who was accompanied by his deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, as well as state lawmakers and other principal officers, further assured that government will continue to support the victims.
“For today, we will immediately make available the sum of N10million and then we will quickly help in erecting these stores back.
“For those who have lost almost all they have here, I will say so long as there is life, there is hope and God, the Almighty will provide again.
“This must not discourage you in anyway. Things must happen but your resilience determines it all. We will do the very best that we can, to bring back life to normal.
“The new government is trying to put structures in place, in the not-too-distant time, I believe that we will start functioning at the optimum level that is expected,” the governor stated.
Earlier, Head of the Hausa/Fulani community, Alhaji Garba Lawal, expressed happiness that the governor was at the scene to see for himself the extent of damage done and its devastating effects on the occupiers.
Lawal, who informed that the incident occurred when the entire community was engaged in congregational prayer at the mosque said, the cause of the fire still remains unknown.
The Hausa/Fulani leader applauded the fire fighters in the state, affirming that if not for them, the volume of the fire would have extended.
