Federal Government will assist Sokoto to rebuild burnt market —Buhari
Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Sokoto State government of its readiness to assist the state in rebuilding the burnt central market.
This is according to the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who on behalf of the President led a powerful delegation from Abuja to condole the government and people of Sokoto State on Monday.
The delegates which arrived government house in Sokoto on Monday includes the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wammako, Minister for Communication and ICT, Dr Ali Pantami, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster, Hajia Sadia Umar Faruk and Minister for Police affairs, Honourable Maigari Dingyadi.
In his address, the leader of the delegates who is also Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, described the incident as not unfortunate but regrettable.
He said the president felt bad as a result of the incident. He said the incident will not only affect the traders but also the economy of the state.
“Mr President sent us here on solidarity with the state and to console the people of the state over the recent fire incidence that rock the state.
“He direct us to offer his condolence on behalf of the federal government and to assure you of the federal government support to the state in the rebuilding process of the market.
“To assure you how the issue was to him, he sent a powerful delegation comprising three ministers, senator and a former governor of the state and his Chief of Staff on this visit,” he added.
In his remarks, the former governor of the state who is also a Senator representing Sokoto North, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, said Mr President was so pained that he actually wanted to come by himself, but as he couldn’t due to other official responsibilities, later sent a powerful delegation to come down for this condolence visits.
He consoled the government and people of the state over the loss while praying to God against such re-occurrence in the state.
Responding, the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, expressed his appreciation to the delegation of the federal government to the state.
He commended President Buhari for his concern to the state at this trying time, which he described as highly commendable.
“ Earlier on the president had released a statement through the Special Assistant on media and publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, consoling the traders and people of the state over the incidence.
“We thank him for this love and care from him which is what is expected of a leader like him.”
Tambuwal disclosed that the statement government is currently doing its best to reconstruct the market and offer support to the traders.
He said the loss in the market can not easily be quantified, as it does not only serve the state and its environment but also includes international customers.
“The market has about 14,000 shops originally and in addition to the makeshift of 2,000 shops which makes it about 16,000 shops.
“Over sixty percent of the market was affected by the inferno, to tell you the extent of the damage suffered in the market.
“We appeal to the federal government for support not only to the state government but also to the traders who have suffered immensely due to the unfortunate incident,” he added.
Also Speaking, the Minister for Communications, Dr Ali Pantami, prayed for the victims to be able to overcome the unfortunate setback.
He also prayed for the continued peace and unity in the country as well as the success of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It can be recalled that a larger percentage of the state main market went up in flames last week Tuesday.
