The Federal Government has directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to ascertain the level of damage and loss at the Monday Market in Borno.
Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development made this known while sympathising with traders over the fire incident.
”We receive the sad news early this morning of the fire disaster which engulfed the biggest market in Maiduguri.
“We understand that goods and shops worth billions of Naira have been destroyed by the raging fire.
“This is a great loss to the country’s economy, especially Borno which is just beginning to recover from destruction and losses as a result of insurgency and banditry.
“We sympathise with the state government and people of Borno, especially the traders, whose livelihoods have gone up in flames following the fire incident.
”I have directed NEMA to see what can be salvaged and to ascertain the level of damage and loss at the market,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria the 35-year old-Monday Market is the largest trading hub in the North East.
Hundreds of shops and warehouses were said to have been affected by the inferno.
NAN
