Shettima to lead FG delegation to Kano over Singer Market fire

President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano to sympathise with victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.

The delegation, scheduled to depart Abuja on Tuesday, will deliver the president’s condolences to traders who reportedly lost billions of naira in the weekend inferno that engulfed the market. The latest fire marks the second incident at the market within two weeks.

On behalf of the Federal Government, the team is also expected to pledge financial assistance to support affected traders and assist the Kano State Government in facilitating the swift reopening of the market.

Members of the delegation include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senator Kawu Ismaila; and Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation.

Also on the team are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard M. Doro, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar.

President Tinubu had earlier spoken by telephone with Abba Kabir Yusuf to express his condolences to the traders and people of Kano State over the devastating fire.

The blaze, which began on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, caused extensive damage at Singer Market, regarded as one of Nigeria’s largest food markets.

The president expressed concern that the latest incident occurred barely two weeks after a previous fire destroyed dozens of shops and properties at the same location. He has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurring market fires, which continue to leave traders counting heavy losses.