PMB Pledges Support For Reconstruction Of Burnt Sokoto Mart

...As Tambuwal Asks For More Assistance

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to give assistance to the Sokoto State government in its effort to rebuild the Sokoto Central Market that was razed by fire last Tuesday.

This is as Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who expressed his appreciation to the President for his "show of love, concern and support," appealed "for more support from the federal government, especially to the traders who have suffered monumental loss at this trying times in our history."

President Buhari, who on Monday sent a high-powered delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, said he does not only emphatize with the people and government of Sokoto State as well as the traders whose investment has been affected, but will do his best to ensure that they get relief.

The President's delegation which visited the scene of the fire also paid a courtesy visit on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar in his palace.

According to him, while he is not only 'extremely worried,' and 'concerned,' he "shows his solidarity and concern... for the reconstruction of this Central Market."

Prof. Gambari, who came along with the Ministers of Communication and Digital Economy, Police Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development- Dr Isa Ali Pantami, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk respectively, said: "we're not only here to console and express solidarity with the people of Sokoto State, but also to commiserate on the damage and destruction caused by the unfortunate fire, which razed the Central Market in Sokoto."

Noting that, "the people of Sokoto State are really great people," he said that is why he 'precisely' sent the delegation, which also included the former Governor of the State, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, because of the 'importance' he attaches to providing succour and security to the victims of the fire disaster incident.

He added that: "the President has been working towards making enormous contribution to the economy of not just Sokoto State, but the Northern part of this country and Nigeria as a whole.

In his address, Gov. Tambuwal while stressing that the President's visit is something "that is... expected of a leader like him," said "we're indeed very consoled to receive you...on this very important mission... to come and commiserate with the government and people of Sokoto State on the fire incident that happened last week, in addition to a statement he (Mr President) had caused "to be issued by his Senior Special Assistant, Mallam Garba Shehu to commiserate with the government of Sokoto State and the traders on the loses they must have suffered in that inferno."

The governor said: "when a misfortune such as this happens, you show your concern and possibly (give) support. We're very highly encouraged and we do not feel abandoned.

"Rest assured sir, that, we are doing our best to see how we can reconstruct the market and also support the traders," Gov. Tambuwal added, as he attributed the cause of the fire incident, "according to an interim," being, "as a result of an electrical fault from the transformer that is serving the Sokoto Central Market; (which) is not only a hub for Sokoto, but for the whole of the sub-region; and indeed West Africa."

The inferno burnt about 60 per cent of the total 16000 shops in the market, a situation the governor further added is "a collosal loss to our traders, the people of the state and to Nigeria in general."