The Kano State Government has inaugurated a high-level committee to investigate the recent fire outbreak at the popular GSM Market in Farm Centre, which left hundreds of traders with losses estimated in millions of naira.
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the event.
According to Ibrahim, the panel is tasked with uncovering both the immediate and underlying causes of the fire, evaluating the extent of the damage, and recommending preventive measures for the future.
Emphasising the need for transparency and coordination, Ibrahim urged that all donations and assistance for affected traders be routed through the committee or the designated government account.
“We must not allow this unfortunate incident to be politicised,” he said.
“All support must be properly channeled to ensure fairness and accountability.”
The investigative committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Nasiru Garo, and includes members from key state ministries, emergency services, security agencies, and market stakeholders.
The selection, according to Ibrahim, was carefully made to ensure the team has the necessary expertise and stakeholder representation.
Among the members are the Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, officials from the Kano State Fire Service, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and representatives from Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority, Farm Centre GSM Traders’ Association, Kano State Investment and Properties, and the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. Alhaji Abdulkadir Shehu AGS-HOC will serve as the committee’s secretary.
The committee’s mandate includes identifying the cause of the fire, assessing the scale of damage and any potential casualties, reviewing the emergency response, and evaluating current fire safety infrastructure at the market.
They will also be responsible for verifying the identities and records of affected traders, assessing the market’s layout in line with urban safety standards, and proposing a sustainable management structure for the market.
Ibrahim stated that the committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within one week to enable the government to act promptly and prevent similar disasters in the future.