Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has presented food items to victims of Maiduguri Monday Market fire incident in Borno.
Farouq made the presentation to the Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum when she paid a condolence visit to the state government.
This is contained in a statement by Farouq’s Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Nneka Anibeze, on Friday in Abuja.
The Minister, who accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the ruins left of the market, expressed sadness at the destruction of the biggest trading hub in the North East Region.
“I deeply sympathise with the state government and people of Borno State on this unfortunate fire incident.
“I have directed the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the level of damage but from what we are seeing now, it appears nothing was left by the inferno. Everything here was burnt.
“After the assessment, the ministry will submit a full report to Mr President to seek special intervention for the victims.
“However, we are handing over 20 bags of 25kg rice, 10 cartons of macaroni and Spagetti and 5,000 gallons of vegetable oil.
“Your Excellency, this is an emergency relief intervention but we will collaborate with the Borno State Government to provide building materials to rebuild the market,” Farouq said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Market Association, Awaji Bukar, expressed appreciation to the president for the visit and appealed for more support from the Federal Government to assuage the loss incurred by the traders.