Kano Sets Up 23-member Panel To Disburse N8bn Singer Market Fire Relief Fund

The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member high-level committee to oversee the disbursement of billions of naira secured as relief for victims of the recent fire outbreaks at Singer Market in Kano.

The inferno, which struck the market twice within a week, destroyed goods and other wares, leaving many traders counting heavy losses.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier announced a N5bn cash intervention to support affected traders, while the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) pledged N3bn to cushion the impact of the disaster.

In addition, Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, provided N200m in immediate support to the victims.

Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruq, said the panel was constituted to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in the distribution of the funds and relief materials to the affected victims.

Represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude (SAN), the SSG said members were carefully selected from key government agencies and stakeholder groups to guarantee credibility.

He said the committee would verify affected traders, assess the extent of material and capital losses, and develop an equitable disbursement framework. The panel is also expected to evaluate safety conditions within the market and recommend measures to prevent recurring fire incidents.

The committee membership comprised commissioners, representatives of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders and representatives of affected traders.

Chairman of the Kano Traders Association, Sabi’u Bako, praised the state government’s swift response and pledged that the committee would ensure that only genuine victims benefit from the intervention.