NIGERIA — CROSS RIVER STATE

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has assured traders, businesses and other individuals affected by the fire that engulfed part of the SPAR shopping complex in Calabar that his administration will provide support to help them recover from the incident.

The governor made the commitment during an on-the-spot inspection of the affected facility on Saturday. Otu was represented at the scene by his deputy, Peter Odey, who assessed the situation and conveyed the government’s sympathy to those who suffered losses.

The state government said its immediate priority is to determine the scale of the damage, identify those affected and establish what assistance may be required to help businesses resume operations.

Speaking on behalf of the governor, Odey assured the victims that they would not be left to deal with the consequences of the incident alone.

“Government will not abandon you at this trying moment. The Director-General of SEMA is already taking steps to assess the extent of the damage and provide immediate relief to those affected,” Odey said.

The governor also disclosed that the cause of the fire had not yet been conclusively determined. Preliminary indications pointed towards a possible electrical fault, but the government stressed that the appropriate authorities must complete their investigations before any definitive conclusion is reached.

The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency has commenced the assessment and documentation of the damage, with the findings expected to guide the government’s response and relief measures.

Beyond immediate assistance, Otu said the government intends to examine the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and identify measures that could help prevent a similar incident in the future.

The governor also commended firefighters for their response during the emergency, particularly the Cross River State Fire Service and Federal Fire Service personnel who participated in efforts to contain the blaze. He further praised security agencies for protecting the facility and preventing looting or vandalism while emergency operations were underway.

The governor’s intervention comes as the state government continues to respond to recent emergencies recorded in Calabar and other parts of Cross River State.

According to the state government, the administration is working with relevant emergency management and development agencies to strengthen emergency response and provide assistance where necessary.

Otu reiterated that protecting lives and property remains a priority of his administration, while promising continued efforts to improve emergency preparedness across the state.

For the businesses and traders affected by the SPAR fire, the government’s pledge of assistance offers a measure of reassurance as damage assessments continue and the circumstances surrounding the outbreak are investigated.