Borno reopens major market 8 months after fire outbreak

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Excitement greeted the reopening of the Maiduguri International Market, yesterday, eight months after it was burnt by a fire outbreak.

The market also known as Maiduguri Monday Market, a trading hub for many Nigerians and business people across the Sahel countries, including neighbouring Niger, Chad as well as Sudan and Central Africa Republic, was gutted by fire on February 26. The fire incident affected over 8,000 traders according to the state government.

Governor Babagana  Zulum, while reopening the rehabilitated market announced N800 million life-line to about 3,000 affected traders and two years rent waver to 8,000 traders in the market to cushion the impact of their displacement from their economic activities due to the fire incident.

He said the government remodelled the market following the recommendation of the committee set up after the February’s 26 fire incident.

“In the course of the reconstruction exercise, the committee recommended the remodelling of the market because it was found that the congestion in the market had contributed to the escalation of the fire incident,” Zulum said.

He said the committee observed in its recommendation that congestion in the market also affected emergency response during the fire outbreak.

“As you would recall, Maiduguri Monday Market was burnt down by fire on February 26, 2023. Borno State government set up a committee to rebuild the market. The market has now been completely rehabilitated with over 8,000 traders to benefit from the remodelled market,” he said.

The remodelled market structure involves an expansion plan with a more organised and accessible space for business activities, the governor said.