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By Akpan David, Calabar
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has promised to build a modern palm oil market in Bogobiri area of Calabar for palm oil merchants and consumers.
He has also donated N10million to cushion the effects of the fire outbreak which affected palm oil dealers in the Bogobiri palm oil depot last weekend, a predominantly a Hausa/Fulani settlement area as well as a centre of trade.
Gov Otu made the promise when he visited the site of the fire outbreak alongside his deputy and Speaker of the State house of Assembly.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, in Calabar, quoted Otu as saying he is deeply touched by the extent of the carnage, describing the inferno as unfortunate and sad.
“As a government, we are indeed very sad with what has happened here given the level of losses recorded.
“For people who have never been here before, they will not know the extent of this carnage. This is very serious considering that this is the centre of trade for the Hausa community in the capital,” he said.
“For today, we will immediately make available the sum of N10million and then we will quickly help in erecting these stores back.
“For those who have lost almost all they have here, I will say so long as there is life, there is hope and God, the Almighty Allah will provide again.
“This must not discourage you in anyway, things will happen, but your resilience determines it all. We will do the very best that we can, to bring back life to normal here.
“The new government is trying to put structures in place, and in not too distant time, I believe that we will start functioning at the optimum level that is expected,” the governor stated.
Earlier, Head of the Hausa/Fulani Community, Alhaji Garba Lawal, expressed happiness that the governor was at the scene to see things for himself and feel the devastating effects on the traders and occupants of the area.
Lawal, who informed that the incident occurred when the entire community was engaged in congregational prayers at the Mosque, said the cause of the fire still remains unknown.
Alhaji Lawal applauded the fire fighters in the state, affirming that if not for them, the carnage would have been worse.
