The Federal Government has approved a ₦5 billion relief package for traders affected by the devastating fire that gutted sections of Singer Market in Kano State last Saturday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the intervention during a visit to Kano, where he led a federal delegation to commiserate with victims of the blaze. The inferno, which began on Saturday evening and raged into the early hours of Sunday, destroyed goods valued at billions of naira and left hundreds of traders counting heavy losses.
Addressing the affected traders, Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu authorised the fund to help victims rebuild their businesses and restore commercial activities in the market.
“The Federal Government stands with you in this difficult time. This ₦5 billion support is aimed at cushioning your losses and ensuring that economic life returns to normal as quickly as possible,” the Vice President said.
He described the incident as a painful setback for Kano’s business community and assured traders that the government would collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen safety measures and prevent a recurrence.
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum announced an additional ₦3 billion donation to support the affected traders. A representative of the forum said the contribution underscores the solidarity of APC governors with victims of the disaster and their commitment to recovery efforts.
Following his meeting with traders, the Vice President proceeded to the Sani Abacha Stadium, where he attended a political event marking the reception of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the APC.
Authorities have commenced investigations into the cause of the fire, as affected traders continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
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