Cross River Gov. Bassey Otu on Monday presented cheques of N25 million each to 18 business owners affected by the recent fire incident at SPAR shopping mall in Calabar.
The N450 million intervention was provided by the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to support the affected businesses, and help the victims to rebuild their livelihoods.
Presenting the cheques at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, Otu described the intervention as a critical lifeline for the victims, and assured them of more support from his administration.
The governor said that while accidents were sometimes unavoidable, the most important consideration was how government responded to those affected.
“I know that accidents happen, and there is sometimes little that anybody can do about them. The important thing is how we respond to such unfortunate situations,” he said.
Otu expressed appreciation to the first lady for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of compassion and practical support for people affected by the incident.
He said that the first lady visit to Cross River on Sept. 1, for the National Community Food Bank Programme
had produced positive multiplier effects beyond the immediate purpose of the programme.
The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the people-centred focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said that the intervention would help to reduce the economic hardship faced by the affected families and urged the beneficiaries to use the funds productively.
Otu said that his administration remained committed to supporting small and medium-sized businesses, saying, “the informal sector remains the engine room of the state’s economy”
He encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of government-supported business advisory services, soft loans, and grants available through the ministry responsible for financing and enterprise development.
“The doors of the M?ministry responsible for financing and enterprise development are always open to entrepreneurs seeking business advisory services, soft loans and grants,” he said.
The SPAR Calabar branch manager, Mr Gbenga Ewarawon, thanked the first kady and Otu for their commitment to supporting the victims and restoring hope to the affected businesses.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Andifokan Samuel, expressed appreciation to the first lady, the Federal Government, the Cross River Government, and other stakeholders for the intervention.
Samuel said that the support would help the affected businesses to return to productive economic activity.
He described the intervention as a timely gesture that would help them to rebuild their businesses and livelihoods.(NAN)
