The Kano state government has inaugurated a committee to probe the fire that left hundreds of traders counting their losses at the popular GSM Market at Farm Centre.
Goods, worth millions of naira, were lost to the inferno.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim stood in for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to inaugurate the panel of inquiry.
The members were saddled with the responsibility of unraveling the causes of the incident; assessing the extent of damage and making recommendations on how to avert future recurrences.
Emphasising the importance of transparency and coordination in the management of relief and support efforts, he said: “We must not allow this unfortunate incident to be politicised.
“All donations and assistance must be channelled through the committee or the designated government account to ensure accountability and equitable distribution.”
He urged individuals, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians who wish to support the affected traders to use the official account.
The committee, chaired by Special Duties Commissioner Nasiru Garo, had its members drawn from key government agencies, emergency services, security outfits, and market leadership.
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“We carefully selected members who bring the right expertise and stakeholder representation needed for such a critical assignment,” the SSG said.
The members include: Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services; officials from the Kano State Fire Service; Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs; State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA); Nigeria Police Force; the Department of State Services (DSS); Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority, the Farm Centre GSM Traders’ Association; Kano State Investment and Properties and Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) among others.
Ibrahim outlined the committee’s responsibilities, which include determining the causes of the fire, evaluating the level of destruction and any loss of life, examining the emergency response during the incident, and reviewing existing fire safety measures at the market.