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| The Head of the Hausa/Fulani Community in Calabar, Alhaji Garba Lawal, addressing Gov. Bassey Otu and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, at the scene of the Bogobiri fire incident on Monday, June 19, 2023, in Calabar. |
CALABAR – Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River State has promised to build an ultra-modern palm oil market in Bogobiri which is predominately a Hausa/Fulani settlement area as well as a centre of trade in Calabar.the
The governor made this known after a fire incident that affected the popular Bogobiri palm oil market destroyed several stores and goods worth millions of Naira.
Otu who was at the spot of the fire incident in the company of his deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Elvert Ayambem, as well as state lawmakers and other principal officers of government assured that his administration will erect ultra-modern palm oil market in the affected area, which is predominately a Hausa/Funfortunateea as well as a centre of trade.
While donating the sum of N10 million to victims of the incident, the governor said he is deeply touched by the extent of the carnage, describing the inferno as unfortunate.
“As a government, we are indeed very sad with what has happened here given the level of losses recorded. …For people who have never been here before, they wilN10 million the extent of this carnage. This is very serious considering that this is the centre of trade for the Hausa community in the capital,” he said.
“For today, we will immediately make available the sum of N10 million and then we will quickly help in any way these stores back. …For those who have lost almost all they have here, I will say so long as there is life, there is hope and God, the Almighty Allah will provide again.
“This must not discourage you in any way, things will happen, but your resilience determines it all. We will do the very best that we can, to bring back life to normal here. The new government is trying to put structures in place, and in a not-too-distant time, I believe that we will start functioning at the optimum level that is expected,” the governor stated.
Earlier, the Head of the Hausa/Fulani Community, Alhaji Garba Lawal, expressed happiness that the governor was at the scene to see things for himself and feel the devastating effects on the traders and occupants of the area.
Lawal, who informed that the incident occurred when the entire community was engaged in congregational prayers at the Mosque, said the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Alhaji Lawal applauded the firefighters in the state, affirming that if not for them, the carnage would have been worse.