The Senate has begun a probe into the devastating fire at the Singer Market in Kano, one of the largest commercial hubs in Northern Nigeria, where goods and property valued at over Five Billion Naira (N5 Billion) were destroyed and more than 1,000 businesses were affected.
Consequently, the Senate has mandated its Committees on Interior and Special Duties to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and investigate the immediate and remote cause(s) of the fire outbreak, and report back within four (4) weeks to the Senate.
The Upper Chamber has directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to assess the extent of the damage and urgently provide relief materials to affected traders.
The Senate also mandated NEMA to work with security agencies to intensify efforts to locate the seven persons still reported missing.
The Senate further instructed the Federal Fire Service to conduct a comprehensive audit of safety compliance, enforce maintenance regulations, and establish functional fire stations in the area.
The Senate appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governors for their financial interventions, describing the donations as timely support for the devastated traders.
Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to a motion titled, ” the Devastating fire outbreak at the Singer Market, Kano.
It was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North and co- sponsored by Senator Kawu Suleiman Abdulrahman, APC, Kano South and Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, NNPP, Kano Central.
In his presentation, Senator Jibrin said that “The Senate: Notes that the historic Singer Market, located in Kano, which is one of the largest commercial hubs in Northern Nigeria, recently suffered a devastating fire outbreak of alarming magnitude;
“Also notes that the inferno reportedly destroyed goods and properties valued at over Five Billion Naira (N5 Billion), affecting more than 1,000 businesses, predominantly small and medium-scale enterprises that serve as the backbone of the local economy;
“Further notes from available report that about seven persons have been declared missing as a result of the incident, with many traders and their families thrown into distress, uncertainty, and economic hardships: inter-state Aware that the Market plays a critical role in regional commerce, trade, and employment generation, contributing significantly to economic activities within Kanoatte State and the nation at large;
“Notes from preliminary reports that inadequate fire-fighting infrastructure, poor emergency response access, and lack of modern safety systems may have exacerbated the scale of destruction;
“Concerned that the scale of destruction has not only crippled livelihoods but worsened poverty, unemployment, and social instability in the affected community, due to the fact that many traders do not have insurance coverage, thereby compounding their vulnerability and economic losses, and
“Also concerned that recurring fire incidents in major markets across Nigeria point to systemic deficiencies in market infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and emergency preparedness, hence the need for the government’s intervention to forestall future recurrence.”
Seconding the motion, Sen.Kawu Sumaila underscored the market’s strategic importance to regional and international trade, employment generation, and broader economic activities across Northern Nigeria, commending Bola Tinubu and Northern governors elected on the All Progressives Congress (APC) for donating N8 billion to support affected victims.
Sumaila said that the President contributed N5 billion, while the APC governors collectively donated N3 billion to assist traders struggling to recover from the losses.
In her remarks, Senator Ireti Kingibe urged the Senate to take concrete steps to ease the suffering of victims.
Similarly, Senator Diket Plang warned that the massive losses, coupled with low insurance coverage among traders, could fuel unemployment and heighten social instability.
In his contribution, Senator Ahmed Wadada, who called for a thorough investigation into the root causes, noting that the same market had suffered a similar fire weeks earlier, cautioned that repeated outbreaks demanded urgent scrutiny, stressing that lawmakers must determine the underlying triggers behind the persistent incidents.
In his contribution, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed hope that the funds would aid recovery and offered prayers for victims of the tragic incident.
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