Business mogul and Chairman of the Appeal Fund Raising Committee for victims of fire incidents in Kano markets, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday presented a cheque of N500 million to the committee. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who received the cheque at the Government House, said the committee raised about N1.2 billion for the victims.

He said the Judicial Commission of Enquiry raised to assess the cost of damages ascertained the number of traders affected, and the extent of damages

Ganduje assured the traders that disbursement will begin soon.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a delegation to conduct a survey on the installation of solar panels in Sabon Gari market, a project partnering the government. Besides redeeming its N500 million pledge, the governor said the government would provide infrastructure in markets, including access roads, fire service outstations, police stations, malls to accommodate road-side kiosks, and iron tables for petty traders, to curb fire incidents.

About a year ago, successive fire incidents occurred in five major markets – Farm Centre (GSM) market, Kurmi market, Yan Katako market, Singer market, and Muhammad Abubakar Rimi Market, otherwise known as Sabon Gari market.

Donors include the state government (N500 million); Aliko Dangote (N500 million); Access Bank (N100 million); Femi Otedola (25 million); Dahiru Mangal (N25 million); Fidelity Bank (N20 million); Senate President Bukola Saraki (N10 million).

Others are Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara (N5 million); 24 lawmakers from Kano (N12 million); Senator Barau Jubrin (N3 million); Senator Kabiru Gaya (N3 million); Tahir Fadallah (N5 million), Ishyaku Rabiu (N5 million); House of Assembly members (N5 million), among others.