Singer Market fire: Kano delegation presses FG to release ₦5bn relief fund

A delegation of Kano business leaders and senior state government officials has urged the Federal Government to expedite the release of the ₦5 billion relief fund approved for victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.

The delegation made the appeal during a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, the visit was aimed at reminding the Federal Government of its commitment to support thousands of traders whose businesses were destroyed by the fire.

The delegation stressed that the prompt disbursement of the intervention fund would provide immediate relief to affected traders and help revive commercial activities at the market.

Members of the team also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the intervention but appealed for the release process to be concluded without further delay so beneficiaries could access the support.

Responding, Akume assured the delegation that the Federal Government remained committed to assisting victims of the disaster and said their concerns had been noted.

The delegation included the President of the Association of Kano Business Community, Alhaji Sabiu Bako; the Kano State 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.

Vice President Kashim Shettima had earlier announced the ₦5 billion intervention on behalf of President Tinubu during the reception marking Governor Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress alongside other political officeholders.

At the same event, Shettima disclosed that the Progressive Governors’ Forum also pledged an additional ₦3 billion to support victims of the Singer Market fire.