The Rivers State Government has earmarked N300 million for disbursement to traders of Mile One Market, Port Harcourt, whose wares were destroyed by fire in December 2013, an official said.
The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Dickson Umunakwe, gave the information in Port Harcourt on Friday and explained that the fund was meant to offer relief to traders who lost goods in the fire.
Umunakwe said that the state government had also released another N50 million to traders whose shops were destroyed by fire at the New Market on Creek Road, Port Harcourt.
“You will recall that on December 17, 2013, there was a fire incident at Rumuwoji Mile One Market where the entire market was consumed by fire.
“Sequel to that incident, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, while assessing the extent of damage, promised to offer financial assistance to victims of the fire disaster.
“The disbursement of N300 million to the traders is in fulfilment of Amaechi’s promise to assist the victims of the fire outbreak,” he said.
Umunakwe said that traders who suffered similar fate at the New Market in Creek Road would soon receive N50 million.
The commissioner said that a three-man committee consisting of traders’ associations from both markets would soon be inaugurated to ensure transparent disbursement of the funds.
The Chairman of Mile One Market Traders Association, Mr Kenneth Eze, lauded the state government and pledged the traders’ continual support of government policies and programmes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government in September 2014 disbursed N200 million to traders of the Mile One Market in Port Harcourt.
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