The reconstruction of famous Maiduguri Monday market razed by an inferno on Sunday is to commenced this week.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno made this known while recieving a delegation of prominent Borno citizens living in Abuja led by Amb. Babagana Kingibe who came to sympathise with the Government and people of Borno.
A statement by Special Adviser to the governor, Mallam Isa Gusau on Tuesday, said Zulum informed the delegation that a committee would coordinate matters relating to the market.
“We are constituting a committee that will coordinate all matters relating to the Monday market inferno. Most importantly, the committee will look into the possibility of rehabilitating the stalls at the market. Insha Allah, the work will commence tomorrow (Tuesday).
“While we are waiting for support from the federal government, Borno State Government will not completely fold its arms waiting, we have to start somewhere”, Zulum said.
He expressed gratitude to the delegation which comprised the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mutawali Kashim Ibrahim Imam among other Borno indigenes.
Kingibe who spoke earlier as leader of the delegation, commiserated with the victims and lauded Zulum for steps taken to ameliorate the hardship faced by the affected traders.
“We appreciate the quick reaction of Your Excellency (Governor Zulum). We understand that you were out of town when the incident happened but on arrival, you went direct to the scene of the incident. You made a very inspiring broadcast and you immediately set up a committee to assess the tragedy and approved one billion Naira.
“Your Excellency, myself and Alh. Kashim Imam left Maiduguri just yesterday, we have planned for quite a number of us, sons and daughters of Borno to come in a delegation to commiserate with the people of Borno through Your Excellency over this tragic incident that overtook Maiduguri market three days ago.
“The livelihood in Maiduguri revolves around the Monday market and indeed the other markets. Monday market, Maiduguri, is not just any old market, it is an old and historic market. We grief deeply over this tragic event” Kingibe added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Alhaji Kashim Imam who also spoke announced a personal donation of N100 million to support the victims.
“I also wish to join in commiserating with all those that were badly affected by this very sad incident. I also want to say that we share in their pains.
“I want to appeal to all indigenes of Borno, especially those that are in a position to assist the victims to immediately come to the aid. I wish to end my very brief comment by committing the sum of N100m”, Imam declared.
