The Federal Government has approved ₦515 million in relief funds for business owners affected by the devastating fire at the SPAR shopping mall in Calabar, Cross River State.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced the intervention on Friday during a visit to the state, where she also commissioned the South-South phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme.
According to the First Lady, President Bola Tinubu approved ₦25 million each for 18 business owners whose enterprises were destroyed in the August 22 blaze, amounting to ₦450 million. An additional ₦50 million was presented to the wife of Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, to support women’s groups, while ₦15 million was given to women who welcomed her to the state.
“Mr. President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River over this unfortunate incident that destroyed many businesses and livelihoods,” Senator Tinubu said. She explained that the funds are intended to provide immediate assistance to the affected entrepreneurs and help them recover from their losses.
The August 22 fire at the SPAR shopping mall destroyed several businesses, with property worth billions of naira reportedly lost.
During the same visit, the First Lady commissioned the South-South phase of the National Community Foodbank Programme. The initiative aims to improve food security and tackle malnutrition among vulnerable households by expanding access to nutritious food and complementing existing government interventions.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu received the First Lady and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the timely relief package. He said the intervention would enable affected entrepreneurs to rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.
Governor Otu also commended the Federal Government for extending the Foodbank Programme to the South-South region, describing it as a boost to social protection and the welfare of vulnerable citizens. He noted that hosting the South-South phase reflected the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity across Nigeria.