Kogi State government has donated N34.2 million to traders that lost their wares to a fire incident which ravaged the GSM Village in Lokoja, the state capital.
Presenting the cheques to the victims on Wednesday, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said the gesture was in fulfilment of an earlier promise he made to assist the traders.
Ododo said further that the assistance was a testament to his administration’s commitment to citizen’s welfare.
Recall that the GSM village was razed by fire on September 12, 2024, leading to destruction of shops and properties worth millions of Naira.
Governor Ododo while on sympathy visit to the scene immediately set up a committee headed by the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA) to look into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to compensate those affected.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, the governor said the administration remains dedicated to providing immediate relief and long-term support to all Kogites.
“We came here after the fire incident and promised you that we would come back.
“We sympathise with all the victims of the incident.
“The committee has done inventory of those affected by the fire incident, and we are going to compensate people according to the enumeration process.
“We are here today to fulfill the promise we made to you,” he said.
The Executive Secretary, KOSEMA, Muktar Atimah handed over the cheques to the victims.
The traders received money ranging from N500,000 to N5 million, depending on the level of losses incurred.
Atimah said those who have shops, sell phones and phones accessories were given higher amount than those who were just phone repairers.
He, however, announced that the committee has recommended the relocation of the GSM Village.
“This committee was set up the second day after the incident and giving two weeks to submit its report.
“Part of the committee recommendations is that the GSM village be relocated for safety and security purposes.
“We are also happy that the governor responded quickly and approved the exact sum of N34.2m we estimated as compensation to affected victims.
“This shows that the governor is feeling what you’re facing.
“We checked the cash flow and business account of victims, we deployed forensics before we arrived at the estimations.
“This was done devoid of religion, tribe or political affiliations of the affected victims,” Atimah said.
Secretary of the GSM Village Phone Association, Miracle Elom expressed their appreciation for the compensations given to them and promised to make good use of the money. (vitalnewsngr.com)
