By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has assured victims of the fire outbreak that ravaged part of the SPAR shopping complex in Calabar on Saturday of the state government’s support.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, gave the assurance when the Deputy Governor visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage, sympathise with the management and affected traders, and reassure them of the government’s commitment to supporting their recovery.
Speaking with journalists at the scene, Odey said the Governor was deeply concerned about the incident and that the government would not abandon those affected.
“The government will not abandon anybody who has suffered losses as a result of this incident. We are going to assess the extent of the damage and determine what immediate intervention is required to assist the victims and support the recovery process,” he said.
Odey said the exact cause of the fire had not yet been established, although preliminary indications suggested a possible electrical fault.
“There are indications that it may have been electrical, but we must allow the appropriate authorities to conduct their investigations before arriving at a definitive conclusion,” he explained.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that the Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had commenced arrangements to assess the damage, identify the victims and determine their immediate needs.
He said the government’s intervention would go beyond sympathy, noting that practical measures would be taken to help affected businesses recover.
“Our objective is not just to come here, sympathise with the victims and leave. We want to see how government can support them to get back on their feet,” Odey said.
He also said the government would examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and take measures to prevent a recurrence.
Odey commended the Cross River State Fire Service for its prompt response, as well as the Federal Fire Service for joining efforts to contain the blaze.
He also praised the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for maintaining order and preventing looting or other criminal activities around the complex.
The Deputy Governor further disclosed that the state government was taking proactive measures to address environmental and infrastructural challenges in Calabar.
He said water was being redirected from Channel 1 to protect houses and other structures along the affected drainage corridor.
Odey expressed concern over the series of emergencies recently experienced in Calabar, including fire outbreaks and landslides, stressing the need for stronger preventive measures and emergency-response capacity.
He disclosed that the state government was engaging federal institutions, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and agencies responsible for the National Ecological Fund, to address challenges requiring additional resources and technical support.
The Deputy Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods and investments across Cross River State.
He urged the management and affected traders at SPAR to remain calm and cooperate with SEMA and other relevant agencies as the damage assessment continued.
