The Kano State Government has constituted a 23 member high level committee to oversee the disbursement of N8 billion in financial support and relief materials to victims of the devastating Singer Market fire.
The blaze, which ravaged sections of the popular market in Kano on two separate occasions, led to massive economic losses, with traders losing goods and business capital worth billions of naira.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruq, said the body was mandated to ensure equitable and transparent distribution of the intervention funds.
Faruq noted that members of the committee were carefully selected from relevant sectors to guarantee credibility, accountability, and fairness in carrying out the assignment.
According to him, the committee, chaired by the SSG, will identify the extent of the damage, assess material and capital losses suffered by traders, and develop an effective framework for disbursing the funds.
He added that the panel would also examine challenges within the market and recommend preventive measures to avert future fire outbreaks.
Part of its terms of reference, he said, include ensuring timely disbursement of assistance and sustained engagement with stakeholders and the media to boost public confidence.
The Chairman of the Kano Traders Association, Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, commended the state government for its swift response and structured approach to distributing the intervention.
Bako also expressed appreciation to the federal government for sending a delegation to sympathise with affected traders, pledging that the committee would discharge its duties with fairness and sincerity.
Although the exact number of affected traders and the total value of losses are yet to be determined, he assured that only verified victims would benefit from the intervention.
The destruction of Singer Market earlier prompted President Bola Tinubu to approve N5 billion in palliative support for affected traders. Similarly, the Progressives Governors’ Forum contributed N3 billion to aid recovery efforts.
Prior to the N8 billion intervention, victims had received N200 million in cash support from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to cushion the impact of the disaster.
