By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Assattahir International Foundation (AIF), has extended heartfelt condolences and pledged recovery assistance to victims of the recent fire outbreak at Kara Market in Sokoto.
The visit to the affected market, led by SEMA Special Adviser Aminu Liman Bodinga, aimed to assess the extent of the damage and provide immediate support to those affected.
### Damage Assessment and Condolences
Accompanied by key stakeholders, including Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim, Chairman of the Kara Market Nail Sellers Association, and the Chairman of the Timber/Wood Sellers Association, Bodinga toured the affected areas.
He conveyed Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s condolences to the victims and assured them of the government’s unwavering support. He emphasized that a comprehensive damage assessment would be conducted to determine the aid required to help traders rebuild their livelihoods.
While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities suspect it may have been triggered by a spark from charcoal used by knife-making artisans in the market.
Alhaji Maikatako, representing the Kara Market Association, expressed appreciation for the prompt response and compassion shown by the state government and its partners. He lauded the visit as a sign of genuine concern for the well-being of the affected traders.
The Sokoto State Government, SEMA, and their partners have reiterated their commitment to providing relief and restoring normalcy to the market. The recovery efforts will focus on rebuilding the market infrastructure and supporting traders to restart their businesses.
The joint initiative underscores the collaborative efforts of government agencies and non-governmental organizations in addressing disasters and mitigating their impact on communities.
