By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has empathized with the Cash and Carry Supermarket and shop owners over the fire incident which engulfed goods and property worth billions of Naira in Abuja on Boxing day.
This was contained in a press release signed by Nnekka Ikem Anibeze, SA MEDIA to the minister made available to Daybreak today.
According to the release, Farouq decried the rising incidences of fire disasters in the country called for caution to avoid future occurrences.
The minister who expressed deep sympathy for the loss of goods worth millions of Naira directed the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA to help in rescue operations to salvage some of the items on the day of the inferno.
She said, “This is a sad occurrence happening on a day of celebration. It is most unfortunate for those who lost their goods and livelihood at this critical time.”
“This is the harmattan season and prone to a lot of sparks and fire disasters. We urge shop owners, traders and market dwellers to be more vigilant and endeavour to switch off all appliances before leaving their shops and market. Report any suspicious movements to security operatives. “The fire in Next Cash and Carry is very unfortunate and we pray that this does not happen again, she said.
The Boxing day fire incident which engulfed Cash and Carry Shopping complex was said to have been caused by an electrical malfunction.
