By Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Ahmed Ubandoma

Hajiya  Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has sympathized with traders over the fire incident which gutted the Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno early Sunday.

Farouq expressed sadness and described the incident as unfortunate and a great loss to the nation’s economy.

This is contain in a statement issued by Farouq’s Special Assistant in Media, Mrs Nneka Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja.

The raging inferno which was said to have started at about 2a.m. spread to different parts of the market, destroying many shops and property worth billions of Naira.

“We received the sad news early this morning of the fire disaster which engulfed the biggest market in Maiduguri. 

“We understand that goods and shops worth billions of naira have been destroyed by the raging fire. 

“This is a great loss to the country’s economy, especially Borno which is just beginning to recover from the destruction and losses as a result of insurgency and banditry. 

“We sympathize with the state government and people of Borno, especially the traders whose livelihoods have gone up in flames following the fire incident.

” I  have directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to help with Search and Rescue operations of property to see what can be salvaged and to ascertain the level of damage and loss at the market”.

The 35 year old Monday Market is the largest trading hub in the North East . Hundreds of shops and warehouses were said to be affected by the inferno. (NAN)