Cross River governor pledges support for SPAR fire victims

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has assured victims of a devastating fire at the Calabar SPAR shopping complex of the state government's full support. The governor visited the scene on Saturday to assess the extent of the damage, express solidarity with affected management and traders, and promise immediate intervention to mitigate the impact and aid business recovery.

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We are here to identify with the management, the traders and everyone who has been affected, and to assure them that they are not alone at this difficult moment.

Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, Governor Otu expressed deep concern over the incident, reassuring those affected that they are not alone during this difficult time. While preliminary indications suggest a possible electrical fault, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined pending investigations by appropriate authorities. "We have spoken with the management, but at this stage, we cannot conclusively say what caused the fire," Otu stated.

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We have spoken with the management, but at this stage, we cannot conclusively say what caused the fire. There are indications that it may have been electrical, but we must allow the appropriate authorities to conduct their investigations before arriving at a definitive conclusion.

The Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has begun assessing the damage and identifying the immediate needs of those affected. The state government intends to take practical steps to assist affected businesses in resuming operations. "Our objective is not just to come here, sympathise with the victims and leave. We want to see how government can support them to get back on their feet," the governor emphasized. The government will also examine the circumstances to prevent future occurrences.

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Our objective is not just to come here, sympathise with the victims and leave. We want to see how government can support them to get back on their feet. We will provide the necessary support within the capacity of government to ensure that the affected businesses can resume operations as soon as reasonably possible.