SPAR FIRE: Otu Assures Affected Businesses of Sustained Support
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Cross River State Government has assured businesses affected by the fire outbreak at SPAR Mall, Calabar, of continued support to facilitate their recovery and restoration of business activities.
The assurance was given at a meeting held in Calabar on Friday, November 6, 2026, convened by the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA).
The meeting brought together representatives of 22 businesses whose goods and other assets were destroyed or looted during the incident but were not covered under the initial relief package provided to businesses that suffered total losses.
Addressing the participants, Akiba recalled the devastating consequences of the fire, which affected businesses, destroyed property, disrupted livelihoods and threatened employment opportunities.
He said the Governor's engagement with the Federal Government had initially secured relief assistance for 18 businesses that suffered total losses. He added that the state government subsequently made additional provisions to accommodate other businesses affected by the incident.
Akiba disclosed that the state government had committed over ₦100 million to support the affected businesses, with the amounts allocated to beneficiaries determined by the extent of their losses.
He noted that some beneficiaries had already received their payments, explaining that the meeting was organised to reassure other affected operators of the government's resolve to ensure that no eligible business was excluded from the intervention.
The Special Adviser said the government's commitment extended beyond immediate financial assistance, adding that further discussions would focus on helping the businesses achieve full recovery and adopt improved insurance arrangements to safeguard their investments against future risks.
The Director-General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, represented by the Disaster Management Officer, Mr. Agbor Okim, commended the business operators for their patience and cooperation throughout the process.
He described the intervention as a demonstration of the government's commitment to supporting residents affected by disasters, while emphasising the need to strengthen the state's emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.
Nyong disclosed that the agency was working with the South-South Development Commission to enhance its operational capacity, including the provision of a firefighting truck and an ambulance expected to arrive before December.
He said arrangements were also being made to train qualified personnel to operate the equipment and improve the agency's capacity to respond effectively to emergencies.
The CR-SEMA boss urged the beneficiaries to utilise the financial assistance as a springboard for rebuilding their businesses, while appreciating their understanding throughout the intervention process.
Also speaking, the Manager of SPAR Mall, Mr. Oluwagbenga Ewarawon, expressed gratitude to the state government for its intervention, noting that the assistance would help sustain businesses and preserve the jobs of employees who depended on them for their livelihoods.
He explained that while some shops employed between three and four workers, larger businesses had workforces exceeding 50, adding that restoring the affected enterprises would also protect jobs and stimulate economic activities.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Rose Nwadike, who represented her employer, Mr. Ibeto Henry of Black and White Salon, also appreciated the Federal and State Governments for the intervention.
She described the assistance as timely and helpful, noting that it would enable affected businesses to overcome some of the challenges arising from the fire incident and gradually resume normal operations.
