Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has assured victims of the fire incident at the SPAR shopping complex in Calabar that they will receive the support of the state government as they begin the difficult process of recovery.
Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey visited the scene on Saturday on behalf of the Governor to assess the situation and express the government’s solidarity with those affected.
Speaking with newsmen, Dr. Odey sympathised with the victims and disclosed that he had interacted with the store manager to obtain an initial assessment of the incident.
He said the exact cause of the fire was yet to be established, although preliminary indications suggested that it might have been electrical.
The Deputy Governor assured the affected businesses that the government would not abandon them, adding that the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had commenced steps to assess the extent of the damage and facilitate immediate relief.
He further assured the victims that the government would provide necessary support to help affected businesses resume operations as soon as possible, while measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence.
Dr. Odey commended the Cross River State Fire Service for its prompt response, noting that the agency had been adequately equipped to respond to emergencies of this nature. He also appreciated the Federal Fire Service for joining efforts to contain the blaze.
He praised the firefighters who risked their lives to bring the fire under control and commended the police and other security agencies for securing the premises and preventing looting.
Addressing the wider emergency situation in Calabar, Dr. Odey disclosed that water was being redirected from Channel 1, which he said would help reduce the risk of house collapses along the affected line.
He expressed concern over the series of disasters recently recorded in Calabar, including fire incidents and landslides. He disclosed that the state government was working with federal agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and the National Ecological Fund, to respond to the challenges and support affected residents.
The Deputy Governor reaffirmed the Otu administration’s commitment to responding swiftly to emergencies and protecting the lives, businesses and livelihoods of Cross Riverians.
“You will not face this alone,” the Governor assured the victims through his Deputy.
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