By Sarah NEGEDU
Contrary to reports that the Next Cash N Carry Supermarket was looted during the fire incident that razed the mall on boxing day, the FCT Administration have clarified that residents of the territory actually moved in to salvage goods from being destroyed in the inferno.
Recall that videos had circulated on social media platforms showing residents moving goods out of the supermarket, with many believing that the goods were being carted away.
However, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, while sympathizing with the management and staff of Next Cash N Carry Super market over the fire incident, commended the residents for assisting the business outfit salvage some of the goods.
The minister who was at the scene of the inferno, pointed that in most cases unscrupulous elements could have seized the opportunity to cart away other people’s belongings.
Aliyu in a statement by her Media Adviser, Austine Elemue, also commended critical stakeholders for their prompt response, stressing that the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited shows that much would be achieved when people work together.
While pledging that the FCT Administration would henceforth ensure that all standard shopping malls must have available fire truck for emergency situation, she however, tasked others to take precautionary measures in securing their valuable items.
The statement quoted the minister saying, “Sadly, this is another unfortunate inferno in a festive period being December 26, 2021. From the report so far, the fire might have occurred much earlier before it was reported.
“But as soon as it was reported, we must commend the active and quick response of Federal Fire Service, the Navy, Airforce, Army, FEMA, NNPC, NSCDC and other agencies that came to put off the fire. It is unfortunate it got to this extent.
“But again, we must commend the residents and indigenes of the territory for their collective support. Let us keep this good spirit of oneness. There is no goods that was looted here as being speculated.
“People used their own cars to secure whatever they can secure and you can see some of the items there. It is not in our character to loot other people’s items, and I call on residents to keep the good spirit.”
She further directed that, “every mall of this standard should have a fire truck available by the side. They should make room for emergency because of situations like this. Even though, our fire men did everything possible to salvage the situation, but it was beyond their control.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, has assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire incident at Next Cash and Carry Supermarket in order to prevent a reoccurrence in any other business establishment within the FCT.
The minister while commiserating with the management and staff of the supermarket and the FCT business community commended the FCT Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Fire Service Departments of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Guards Brigade and Julius Berger Nig. PLC for their prompt responses with their fire-fighting equipment.
He equally commended the FCT FEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, Security agencies and other responders for their efforts in containing the blaze.
