FG Poised To Tackle States Industrial Challenges, Says Shettima

ABUJA – Vice President Kashim Shet­tima has said that with the economy back on track, the Federal Government is now poised to address states indus­trial challenges.

This is as he disclosed that the presidency is working out modalities to release a N5 bil­lion pledge made to support traders and other victims of the inferno that razed several sections of the popular Kano Singer Market.

He said all necessary docu­mentation is being perfected by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to make the funds available.

According to the VP, the Federal Government has re­solved to work with the Kano State government and rele­vant government agencies to prevent the recurrence of fire outbreak in markets across the state.

The fire incident at the pop­ular Singer Market resulted in significant economic losses, including goods and business capital valued at billions of naira.

Senator Shettima gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja when a delegation of the Association of Kano Busi­ness Community, led by its President, Alhaji Sabiu Bako, paid him a thank you visit in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the people of Kano at heart, say­ing the N5 billion approved by the president as immediate relief for victims of the in­ferno was based on result of the preliminary assessment of the damages caused by the fire outbreak.

He said, “Be rest assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has you in heart. When the incident happened, he immediately directed me to proceed to Kano and sym­pathise with victims of the inferno. In fact, he gave the blanket cheque to make a rec­ommendation on the support we should give to the govern­ment and people of Kano.

“And the N5 billion ap­proved by the president was based on the outcome of your preliminary assessment of the damages; otherwise, if the level of damage was up to N20 billion, I am absolutely certain that the president would have approved that amount. The donations of this nature are handled by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.”

The vice president, howev­er, called for transparency in the management of the funds, saying, “The disbursement and utilisation of the funds must be transparently done for posterity.”

He also informed the dele­gation that the president has directed that proactive mea­sures should be taken by the relevant Federal Government agencies, in collaboration with the Kano State government, to prevent any reoccurrence of such fire outbreaks in the state.

“Government intends to en­gage your association to also introduce fire safety measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidence to safeguard the lives and properties of our people. The reoccurrence of fire of such magnitude can only be mitigated by taking proactive measures,” he stat­ed.

Acknowledging the chal­lenges facing Kano as one of the nation’s industrial hubs, VP Shettima noted that while Nigeria’s economy has been recalibrated and is on a sound footing, the nation is on a path to sustained growth.

He said with the economy back on track, government is poised to address the state’s industrial challenges, citing the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Ka­duna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, designed to deliver nat­ural gas to Northern Nigeria, including a major 1,350MW In­dependent Power Plant (IPP) in Kano, which is already at 80% completion stage, and aims to revitalise industries and boost power supply in the state.

“We know the challenges of Kano. Most of the industries in Kano are now in a state of co­matose. The few that are exist­ing are on life support because they are generating their own power. But the AKK will soon see the light of the day. It is the most expensive infrastructure project in this country.

“With the AKK, I believe Kano will bounce back to life again because power is sine qua non for any industrial take-off. Kano used to have as many as a thousand indus­tries, and they will be revived,” the VP assured the delegation.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Association, Alhaji Sabiu Bako, appealed to the Federal Government to consider the establishment of a special loan facility that is interest-free for the affected traders with a structured re­payment period of up to ten years.

In addition, he urged con­tinued federal assistance in rebuilding critical infra­structure within the market to ensure improved safety standards and prevent future occurrences.

He said such gestures will not merely restore businesses alone but will also restore dig­nity, rebuild confidence, and revive the economic fortunes of the victims as well as the economy of the entire state.

He stated: “Kano’s business community is resilient. Our traders are industrious men and women who ask not for handouts, but for a bridge back to productivity. With struc­tured support and sustained collaboration Singer Market will rise again, stronger, safer, and more vibrant than ever.

“On behalf of the Kano business community, I ex­press our profound gratitude and reaffirm our commitment to partnering with the Federal Government in rebuilding and strengthening our economy.”

Alhaji Sabiu expressed gratitude for the donations by the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Fo­rum, noting that their “swift action helped contain further damage and offered immedi­ate relief.”

Expressing the associa­tion’s gratitude to President Tinubu, he continued: “We are profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his decisive intervention and compassion. The presi­dent’s action in dispatching a high-powered delegation led by you to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State brought comfort to our grieving community.

“The donation of N5 billion to the affected traders has pro­vided immediate succour and renewed hope among our peo­ple. This gesture of solidarity reflects the unity of purpose that defines our nation in times of crisis.”