Shettima Reaffirms FG Fire Safety Plan, N5bn Relief for Kano Traders

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday restated the Federal Government’s resolve to prevent further fire outbreaks in Kano markets, disclosing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed relevant agencies to implement proactive safety measures in collaboration with the Kano State Government.

Shettima also confirmed that documentation has been completed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for the release of the N5 billion relief fund approved by the President for traders affected by the recent inferno at the popular Singer Market in Kano.

The Vice President gave the assurance at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when a delegation of the Association of Kano Business Community, led by its President, Alhaji Sabiu Bako, paid him a thank-you visit following the federal intervention.

According to him, the N5 billion support was based on preliminary assessments of the damage caused by the fire, which destroyed goods and business capital worth billions of naira.

“When the incident happened, the President immediately directed me to proceed to Kano and sympathise with the victims. The approval of N5 billion was based on the outcome of your preliminary assessment. If the damage had been higher, I am certain he would have approved more,” Shettima said.

He stressed that the disbursement and utilisation of the funds must be handled transparently to ensure accountability and fairness to affected traders.

The Vice President further revealed that the President had mandated relevant federal agencies to work with Kano authorities and market associations to introduce stricter fire safety standards to forestall future incidents.

He noted that Kano’s economic importance as a major industrial hub makes it imperative to safeguard markets and revive struggling industries.

Shettima expressed optimism that the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, currently at about 80 per cent completion, would significantly boost power supply to Northern Nigeria, including a planned 1,350 megawatt Independent Power Plant in Kano, helping to revive dormant industries.

Earlier, Bako appealed for the creation of a special interest-free loan facility with a repayment period of up to 10 years for affected traders, alongside federal support to rebuild critical market infrastructure.

He described the N5 billion intervention as timely, saying it restored hope and confidence among traders and reaffirmed the business community’s commitment to partnering with the Federal Government to rebuild and strengthen Kano’s economy.