Rasheeda Yahaya
By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The Velocity Humanitarian Foundation has donated ₦10 million to traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at the Gombe Timber Market, also known as Kasuwan Katako, in a bid to cushion the devastating impact of the incident.
The donation was presented to the market leadership on behalf of the Foundation’s founder, Engr. Aliyu Muhammad Kombat, following the inferno that razed several shops and destroyed goods worth millions of naira.
Speaking during the presentation, the Chairman of the Foundation, Adamu Aliyu Ibrahim, said the intervention was aimed at identifying with traders who lost their means of livelihood and providing immediate relief.
“We are here to support the victims of this unfortunate fire incident. Many traders suffered heavy losses, and our founder considered it necessary to respond promptly to assist those affected,” he said.
Ibrahim noted that the Foundation has remained consistent in its humanitarian engagements, which include medical assistance, borehole projects, payment of school fees, and support for vulnerable groups.
He appealed to other well-meaning Nigerians, especially business people within and outside the country, to support victims of disasters and complement government efforts.
He also expressed concern over the repeated fire outbreaks recorded in the market within a short period and urged relevant authorities to strengthen safety measures, including the provision of functional fire service facilities within the market.
Also speaking, the Foundation Secretary, Safiyanu Ya’u said the ₦10 million donation was meant to ease the hardship faced by the affected traders and help them restart their businesses.
He stressed the need for transparency in the distribution of the funds, advising the market leadership to ensure that only those genuinely affected benefit from the gesture.
In his response, the Chairman of the Timber Market, Muhammad Sani Ahmadu, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the timely intervention, describing the donation as a lifeline for the victims.
“This gesture has restored hope to many traders who lost everything in the fire. It will greatly assist us in rebuilding our businesses and livelihoods,” he said.
The traders also appealed to the Gombe State Government to establish a fire service unit within the market to prevent future incidents and enhance safety.
