Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River says the state will be building an ultra-modern palm oil market in Calabar, the state capital.
The governor, who also donated N10m to traders whose stores were gutted by fire at the Bogobiri area of Calabar, said the palm oil market will be sited in the affected area, a predominately Hausa/Fulani settlement.
According to Emmanuel Ogbeche, the chief press secretary, the governor is touched by the extent of the carnage, describing the inferno as unfortunate and sad.
“As a government, we are sad with what has happened here given the level of losses recorded.
“For people who have never been here before, they will not know the extent of this carnage. This is very serious considering that this is the centre of trade for the Hausa community in the capital,” Ogbeche quoted the governor, who visited the fire victims.
“We will immediately make available N10 million and then we will help in erecting these stores back.
“For those who have lost almost all they have here, I will say so long as there is life, there is hope and God, the Almighty Allah will provide again.
“This must not discourage you in any way, things will happen, but your resilience determines it all. We will do the very best that we can, to bring back life to normal here.
“The new government is trying to put structures in place, and in not too distant time, I believe that we will start functioning at the optimum level that is expected,” the governor stated.
Garba Lawal, head of the Hausa/Fulani Community, appreciated the governor for visiting to see things for himself and feel the devastating effects on the traders and occupants of the area.
