By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR -The multimillion Shopping Mall (SPAR) in Calabar, Cross River State that recently got burnt, has got a relief for the victims with a release of N515million from the Federal Government.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the intervention on Friday during her visit to the state, where she also commissioned the South-South phase of the National Community Food Bank Programme.
Senator Tinubu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved ₦25 million for each of the 18 business owners affected by the inferno, amounting to ₦450 million.
According to her, an additional ₦50 million was presented to the wife of the Cross River State governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, to support women’s groups, while ₦15 million was given to women who welcomed her to the state.
“Mr. President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River over this unfortunate incident that destroyed many businesses and livelihoods,” the First Lady said.
“This intervention is to provide immediate support and help victims recover from their losses.”
The intervention followed the August 22 fire outbreak at the shopping mall, which affected several businesses and destroyed property worth billions of naira, leaving business owners with substantial losses.
Tinubu said the Federal Government’s intervention was aimed at providing immediate support to affected entrepreneurs and helping them recover from the losses suffered in the incident.
Speaking on the National Community Foodbank Programme, the First Lady explained that the initiative was designed to improve food security and tackle malnutrition among vulnerable households across the South-South region.
She said the programme would strengthen access to nutritious food for vulnerable families while complementing existing efforts to address food insecurity and improve the welfare of citizens.
Receiving the First Lady, Governor Bassey Otu appreciated President Bola Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the intervention, describing it as a timely gesture that would bring succour to victims of the fire disaster.
Otu said the relief package would provide meaningful assistance to the affected business owners as they commence the process of rebuilding their businesses and livelihoods.
He also commended the Federal Government for supporting women and vulnerable groups through the Foodbank Programme, noting that the initiative would strengthen social protection and contribute to improved welfare across the state.
The governor was delighted that Cross River was selected to host the South-South phase of the programme, describing the intervention as another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable Nigerians.