TheCable

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has donated N500 million to Sokoto to support the rebuilding of the state’s central market.

On Tuesday morning, a section of the market was burnt down.

Muhammed Bello, spokesman to Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, disclosed Wike’s donation in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to Bello, Wike said the donation is to support the state’s rebuilding efforts, as well as to assist affected traders.

“River state government has pledged the sum of half a billion naira to support Sokoto State government in rebuilding the Sokoto central market ravaged by fire on Tuesday morning,” the statement reads.

“Part of the money, according to Gov. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who made the pledge, is also intended to support the victims of the inferno.

“Gov. Wike, who visited Sokoto earlier on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after the disaster, said he was shocked and disturbed when he learnt about it.

“Affirming that whatever affects Sokoto State also concerns Rivers, he said his administration will do all it takes to ensure that the affected market is reconstructed and becomes functional.

Earlier, while showing Wike round the scene of the incident, Tambuwal explained that 16,000 shops were affected.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi state, donated N30 million to the Sokoto government to assist victims of the incident.