Following a fire incident that razed a popular shopping complex, Next Cash and Carry in Abuja on Boxing Day, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq has expressed deep sympathy to shop owners for the loss of goods and property worth billions of naira.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Minister also decried the rising incidences of fire disasters in the country and called for caution to avoid future occurrences.
“This is a sad occurrence happening on a day of celebration. It is most unfortunate for those who lost their goods and livelihood at this critical time.
“This is the harmattan season and prone to a lot of sparks and fire disasters. We urge shop owners, traders and market dwellers to be more vigilant and endeavour to switch off all appliances before leaving their shops and market. Report any suspicious movements to security operatives.
“The fire in Next Cash and Carry is very unfortunate and we pray that this does not happen again” the statement read.
The Shopping complex which caught fire in the night of Christmas Day was said to have been caused by an electrical malfunction.
Umar Farouq had directed the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA to help in rescue operations to salvage some of the items on the day of the inferno.
