From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The committee constituted by Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire incidents at the Sokoto Central Market and Central Motor Park has commenced the verification of victims affected by the two separate incidents.
This was contained in a statement signed by Abubakar Bawa, Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, and issued to journalists on Tuesday.
The Acting Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gandi Umar Muhammad, led members of the committee on an inspection tour to interact with victims and assess the level of damage and losses incurred by the affected traders.
Committee members moved from one shop to another, collecting data from affected traders to obtain accurate and comprehensive information on the number of shops destroyed by the fire at the two locations.
Briefing journalists during the exercise, the acting chairman of the committee, Barr. Gandi Umar Muhammad, MNI, said the assessment tour was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the losses incurred and the number of traders affected.
“What we are doing is in line with the terms of reference given to us by the government. At the end of the exercise, we will present a detailed and accurate report to the governor for necessary action,” he said.
“We are trying our best to ensure that we complete our assignment within the timeframe given to us,” Gandi added.
He commended the traders, especially those affected by the inferno, for the orderly manner in which they conducted themselves during the exercise.
“We also commend the leadership of the Traders’ Association for their support and cooperation with this committee, which has greatly helped in making our work easier,” he said.
Barr. Gandi assured the victims of a transparent, free and fair exercise, emphasizing that the committee would neither compromise nor deviate from the terms of reference given to it by the government.
It would be recalled that Governor Ahmed Aliyu on April 27 constituted a nine-member committee to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire incidents at the Sokoto Central Market and Central Motor Park, with a six-week deadline to submit its report.
