From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
Tragedy has again struck Sokoto State as an inferno razed 5,832 bags of onions worth over N204.12 million in the Duhuwa community of Wurno Local Government Area.
These disturbing statistics were released on Sunday by the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NOPPMAN).
The National President, Alhaji Aliyu Isa Maitasamu, told our correspondent that no fewer than 324 multiple storage facilities were affected by the devastating blaze.
According to him, each of the 324 facilities contained 18 bags, totaling 5,832 bags.
With each bag currently valued at N35,000 in the market, the total loss is estimated at N204,120,000.
The National President stated that the association will soon liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to seek urgent support for the victims of the disaster.
In the same vein, Maitasamu said NOPPMAN will write to the Sokoto State Ministry of Agriculture to secure urgent relief for the affected farmers.
“This is in order to alleviate the heavy losses they have incurred, helping them bounce back in their businesses,” the NOPPMAN National President added.
It will be recalled that another inferno just last week destroyed no fewer than 2,275 bags of onions, worth approximately N56.8 million, in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.
Furthermore, barely 48 hours after the Kojiyo disaster, thousands of additional onion bags were lost to another fire in the Dundaye community of Wamakko Local Government Area.
In a related development, the Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has approved the constitution of a committee to assess the level of damage caused by fire outbreaks at the Old Market Sokoto and the Sokoto central motor park.
This was contained in a statement signed by Abubakar Bawa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, issued on Monday in Sokoto.
According to the statement, the committee has the following membership: Barr. Gandi Umar Muhammad, acting Chairman,
Hon. Commissioner, Lands & Housing, member, Prof. Aminu Salihu Mika’ilu, Member and Malam Bello Kofa, Member.
Others are: Malam Nafi’u Dan Hajah, member, Alhaji Isah mai Shinkafa, member, Alhaji.Ladan Almustafa
Alh.Mustafa Abdullahi Mai-Dala, member while the Secretary is Alhaji Lawal Sada.
The terms of reference of the committee include: To assess the extent of damage at old market and central motor park and identify those affected by the inferno.
The committee will also identify the cause of the outbreaks and advise the state government on how to preven future occurrences.
It will also advise the government on the nature and type of assistance to be given to the victims.
The statement said that the committee has six weeks to submit its report.
