By Mary Bassey, House of Assembly Correspondent
Following the fire that engulfed palm oil and pepper shops and goods worth millions of Naira destroyed in some parts of Bogobiri Community on Friday afternoon, the Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, Jrn, and his Calabar Municipal House of Assembly member, Hon. Stanley Nsemo have commiserated with the victims.
Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong had on Saturday visited the scene of the fire outbreak in Bogobiri where he expressed shock at the level of damage done.
Senator Ekpenyong represented by the immediate past Commissioner for Transport in the State, Oqua E. Oqua after sympathizing with the community, donated the sum of one million Naira to the victims to cushion the effect it might cause.
His words: “In an already difficult economy such as ours, for a fire incident of this magnitude to occur and engulf over seventeen shops one can only imagine the economic loss to the victims, I am therefore donating the sum of N1,000,000 to the community to cushion the effects of this great loss to the victims.”
Similarly, Honorable Stanley Nsemo in a press release he signed also expressed shock at the unfortunate incident and pledged that his office and the State government will extend hands of fellowship to them in the short possible time.
He averred that: “During the visit, I condoled and commiserated with the victims of the fire incident. I likewise decried the incessant fire outbreaks in the metropolis that has led to avoidable personal and financial losses to residents of the State.
“On behalf of my office and constituency, I expressed shock and sadness for the unfortunate incident and assured the victims of my resolve as well as that of the State government not only to assist the victims of the incident but also to work with all stakeholders and Government agencies including the State fire service in the constituency to forestall future occurrence.” He said.
Responding, the Head of the Muslim Community in Bogobiri, Adamu Baba thanked Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Stanley for showing love to the affected victims.
According to him: ” What the senator has done today shows us that indeed he regards us as his brothers. Elections are over so no one can accuse him of doing this because of politics, but this gesture today showing love to the victims of this fire will go a long way in ameliorating the situation we have at hand and God will bless him,” Adamu lauded.
