By Dipo Olowookere
Traders have been called on to always observe fire safety measures in the markets to prevent the frequent occurrence of fire incidents in the country.
This appeal was made by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Muhammad Sani Sidi, during the presentation of food items and building materials to victims of market fire in Nguru, Yobe State over the weekend.
Mr Sidi said NEMA will continue to live up to its responsibilities by partnering with state governments to come to the aid of traders affected by fire incidents.
He explained that this is necessary in order to show the Federal Government’s concern for its citizens.
He said market fire was among the major disasters in the country which causes incalculable losses, stressing that all hands must be on deck to put in place a robust disaster risk reduction programme that will be geared towards disaster prevention and mitigation in our environment.
The Senate Leader, Mr Ahmed Lawal, who was present at the occasion and sympathized with affected persons, said the relief assistance was meant to ameliorate the suffering of the victims and to assist them to resume their businesses.
Items which were directly presented to the market leaders included 600 bundles of roofing sheet, 3000 piece of ceiling boards, 100 bags of 3” nails and 100 packets of zinc nails.
Others were 100 cartons of milk, 100 cartons of spaghetti, 100 bags of beans, 100 cartons of tinned tomato and 100 bags of guinea corn.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka