Kano business representatives and senior state government officials have renewed calls for the release of the ₦5 billion relief fund approved by the Federal Government for traders affected by the Singer Market fire.
The appeal was made during a visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, where the delegation sought the immediate disbursement of the intervention fund promised to victims of the market disaster.
Details of the meeting were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the delegation reminded the Federal Government of its commitment to assist thousands of traders who lost their shops, goods and means of livelihood in the fire, stressing that early release of the funds would help speed up business recovery.
The group also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the intervention, while urging the authorities to ensure the funds reach beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.
Among those at the meeting were President of the Association of Kano Business Community, Alhaji Sabiu Bako; Commissioner for Finance, Dr Ismail Aliyu Danmaraya; APC National Ex-Officio, Muhammad Jamu Yusuf; Chairman of Singer Market, Barrister Junaidu Muhammad Zakari; and businessman, Alhaji Kabiru Adamu Gano.
In his response, Akume reassured the delegation that the Federal Government remained committed to supporting those affected by the fire and acknowledged the concerns raised during the meeting.
The relief package was first announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a ceremony held to receive Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the All Progressives Congress after his defection alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and 44 local government chairmen.
At the event, Shettima disclosed that the Federal Government had approved ₦5 billion for victims of the fire, while the Progressive Governors’ Forum committed an additional ₦3 billion to support those affected.
“Your Excellency, we join you today not only to sympathise with you over the fire outbreak at Singer Market, which disrupted the commercial life of this great state, but also to bring the assurance of the Federal Government that we stand firmly with the good people of Kano.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of ₦5 billion to the Kano State Government as palliative for this incident. In addition, the Progressive Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has pledged ₦3 billion to support the victims of the Singer Market fire,” the Vice President had said.