Losses At Kano Singer Market Exceed N20bn — Committee

Chairman of the Singer Market Disbursement Fund Committee, Alhaji Umar Farouq, has said losses incurred by traders in the recent fire outbreak at Singer Market in Kano have exceeded N20 billion.

Farouq stated this yesterday when members of the committee conducted an assessment of the market to ascertain the extent of damage.

He described the destruction as monumental, noting that preliminary observations indicated that the losses were far beyond initial expectations.

“The extent of the destruction is enormous. Even by a conservative mental assessment, the losses are far beyond N20 billion,” he said, adding that the disaster represents one of the most devastating experiences for the affected traders.

The chairman said the visit was aimed at enabling committee members to undertake a first-hand assessment of the damage and to reinforce transparency in the planned disbursement of relief funds.

He disclosed that the federal government had donated N5 billion to support victims of the fire, while the Progressive Governors’ Forum contributed N3 billion. He added that additional donations had also been received from other sources.

Farouq emphasised that the committee would not tolerate any form of dishonesty in the claims process, warning that anyone found attempting to falsify claims would forfeit any support and risk prosecution.

According to him, security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Police Force, are represented on the committee to ensure due diligence and accountability.

He assured the public that the disbursement process would be transparent, stressing that the integrity of committee members would not be compromised.

Farouq appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support the affected traders, assuring that all donations would be properly accounted for and disbursed to genuine beneficiaries.