The committee constituted by Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire incidents at the Sokoto Central Market and Central Motor Park has commenced the verification of victims affected by the two separate incidents.

A statement issued by Mallam Abubakar Bawa, DG Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, further said that the Acting Committee Chairman, Barr Gandi Umar Muhammad, led other members of the committee to interact with victims in order to assess the level of damage and losses incurred by the affected traders.

Committee members moved from one shop to another, collecting data from affected traders to obtain accurate and comprehensive information on the number of shops destroyed by the fire at the two locations.

Briefing journalists during the exercise, the acting committee, chairman, said the decision to embark on the assessment tour was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the losses incurred and the number of traders affected.

“What we are doing is in line with the terms of reference given to us by the government. At the end of the exercise, we will present a detailed and accurate report to the Governor for necessary action,” he stated.

“We are trying our best to ensure that we complete our assignment within the timeframe given to us,” Gandi added.