Sokoto Govt Disburses N143m to 76 Traders Affected by Market Fires

The Sokoto State Government has disbursed N143 million to 76 traders affected by fire outbreaks at Sokoto Old Market and Central Motor Park to help them revive their businesses.

The financial assistance was announced on Wednesday following Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s pledge to support the victims when he received the report of a committee established to investigate the incidents on October 9.

Speaking at the disbursement ceremony, Chairman of the committee, Barrister Gandi Umar Muhammad, said the money was released to traders verified as genuine victims of the fire outbreaks.

He clarified that the financial assistance was not compensation but a gesture of support to enable the affected traders to resume their commercial activities.

According to him, the highest beneficiary received N25 million, while other traders received varying amounts based on the extent of their losses.

Muhammad commended the affected traders for their cooperation throughout the verification and disbursement process. He also urged them to continue praying for the prevention of similar incidents in the future.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the governor for the assistance, saying it would help them rebuild their businesses and restore their sources of livelihood.

They also pledged their continued support for the Aliyu-led administration.

Parts of Sokoto Central Motor Park and the Old Market were gutted by fire in July, disrupting commercial activities and affecting the livelihoods of traders and other residents who depend on the locations for their daily income.

Following the incidents, Governor Aliyu constituted a nine-member committee to investigate the separate fire outbreaks, assess the damage and determine the number of affected traders.

The committee initially received claims from 94 individuals but, after a verification exercise, confirmed that only 76 were genuine victims eligible for the financial assistance.

The state government said it had previously extended similar support to victims of market fire disasters across Sokoto State, including mechanics in the Buzaye area and traders at Kara Market.