The Cross River State Government has promised to support traders and businesses affected by the fire that destroyed part of the SPAR shopping complex in Calabar.
The state Governor, Bassey Otu, made the commitment on Saturday during a visit to the scene of the incident to assess the damage and sympathise with those affected.
Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, Otu assured the victims that the government would take steps to help them recover from the losses suffered in the fire.
“We are here to identify with the management, the traders and everyone who has been affected, and to assure them that they are not alone at this difficult moment,” the governor said.
Otu said the cause of the fire had not been conclusively established, although preliminary indications pointed to a possible electrical fault.
He stressed that the authorities would have to complete their investigation before determining the exact cause of the incident.
“There are indications that it may have been electrical, but we must allow the appropriate authorities to conduct their investigations before arriving at a definitive conclusion,” he said.
The governor added that the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency had begun arrangements to assess the extent of the damage and determine the immediate needs of the victims.
According to him, the government’s intervention would go beyond sympathy, as measures would be put in place to assist affected businesses in resuming operations.
“Our objective is not just to come here, sympathise with the victims and leave. We want to see how government can support them to get back on their feet,” Otu stated.
He also directed that the circumstances surrounding the fire be examined to identify possible gaps and prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, Otu commended the Cross River State Fire Service for its prompt response to the emergency, noting that effective emergency response remained crucial during disasters.
“I want to commend the Cross River State Fire Service. They responded promptly and professionally to this emergency,” he said.
The governor said the state would continue to strengthen its emergency-response institutions to improve its ability to respond to future disasters.
