Cross River Government pledges aid to SPAR fire victims in Calabar

Business operators and traders at Calabar's SPAR shopping complex experienced significant losses when fire swept through the facility. The Cross River State Government has committed to assisting those whose livelihoods were damaged.

Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Odey made a Saturday visit to the scene, where he assessed destruction levels and met with affected traders alongside mall management. Odey appeared in an official capacity representing Governor Bassey Otu, conveying the state administration's pledge of support during this trying moment.

He underscored the government's deep concern about both the incident and its impact on those operating businesses within the shopping complex. Currently underway are damage evaluations meant to identify what interventions prove necessary.

Destruction affected numerous commercial outlets across sections of the shopping mall. Part of the state's strategy involves helping affected business owners restore normal operations and recover from goods and property that were lost or destroyed.

Investigations into what sparked the fire remain ongoing, with authorities declining to make definitive statements regarding its origin at this time. Information about the total losses has also not been released as authorities continue probing how the blaze began.

Through its pledge of assistance, the state administration recognizes the economic hardship facing the business sector in Cross River's capital.