Bauchi market fire: Gov Bala donates N10m to victims, promises reconstruction of shops

Ishola Michael – Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has announced the donation of the sum of N10m for victims of recent fire disaster at the Muda Lawal Market in the State.

Muda Lawal is one of the largest markets in the State Capital where people converge on a daily basis from outside the State to transact businesses.

The market was recently gutted by a midnight fire which razed down many shops making the owners to lose items worth several millions of Naira as well as other valuables unquantifiable.

The State Governor has also pledged that government will reconstruct all the affected shops and provide immediate relief to the victims to enable them pick up the pieces and bounce back again.

Reports have it that not fewer than Twelve Shops were razed and completely destroyed by the inferno while properties mostly items for sale worth about N60 million were also destroyed.

While inspecting the level of damage during a sympathy visit to the market, Bala Mohammed announced the amount as donation to be shared among the victims as well as reconstruct the shops.

Bala Mohammed also promised to install a transformer that would boost electricity power supply across the market to improve commercial activities.

While directing the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to take inventory of the loss, the Governor prayed to God to prevent future occurrence of the incident.

He debunked an allegation that his administration is planning to shortchange traders of Central Market describing the insinuation as politically motivated.

Speaking on behalf of the victims, the Chairman, Muda Lawal Market Association, Alhaji Bala Mai Kaji expressed appreciation for the visit and promised to support the Governor’s political ambition.

He said that assessment of the extent of the damage is ongoing in order to identify those who are directly affected assuring the Governor that the money will be given only to those affected.