FG disburses N420m to 18 Cross River SPAR fire victim

Eighteen business owners whose shops were destroyed in the August 22 fire at SPAR Shopping Mall in Calabar, Cross River State, have received N25 million each to help them restart their businesses.

The N450 million intervention was approved by President Bola Tinubu following a commitment made by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu during her visit to Cross River State for the inauguration of the South-South National Community Foodbank programme.

The beneficiaries were selected after verification of those whose businesses were affected by the fire, which destroyed merchandise and other business assets at the mall.

Presenting the cheques to the affected business owners on Monday, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu said the intervention would provide support to those whose businesses were affected by the fire.

The assistance is expected to enable the affected traders to replace damaged goods and equipment and restore their businesses after the fire disrupted their operations.

The First Lady had announced plans to support victims of the incident during her visit to the state, leading to the Federal Government’s approval of the financial package.

The intervention forms part of efforts to cushion the impact of the fire on the affected business owners and provide them with resources to resume their commercial activities.