From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has donated the sum of N100 million to the victims of the recent Sokoto Central market fire disaster.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by Abubakar Bawa, the press secretary to the governor, this came to light during the presentation of the cash assistance to the affected traders, performed by the committee set up by the governor to ascertain the causes of the fire outbreak and advise the government on the way forward.
Presenting the cash assistance to the beneficiaries of the magnanimous gesture, the Chairman of the committee, Amb. Sahabi Isa Gada said the assistance was in different categories depending on the nature and magnitude of the losses recorded by the individual traders.
The worst hit traders, according to him, will receive the sum of N19 million each, while those with lesser losses will get the sum of N 300,000 each as the widow’s mite of the state government.
He added that the committee had done a thorough job to ensure that only those affected by the calamity benefited from the gesture.
“We took the time to visit all the areas affected by the inferno to ensure the effective coverage of all the victims.
“What the state Governor is giving out today is not compensation but assistance for those affected to at least have some capital to start again,” he added.
The Chairman called on the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the money given to them so that the purpose for which it was given could be achieved.
The Chairman, of Sokoto State Motorcycles Sellers Association, Alhaji Garba Gwazi expressed gratitude to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for the kind gesture, which according to him, has demonstrated the love, care and concern he has for the people of the state.
He also thanked Sen. Aliyu Wamakko for his fatherly role which has helped greatly in making the present administration follow in his footsteps.
Gwazi also assured that the monies given to them would be judiciously utilized to further bolster the economy of Sokoto State.