Each Affected Business Owner Will Receive ₦25 Million.

President Bola Tinubu has approved a ₦450 million relief package for 18 business owners affected by the fire that destroyed the Calabar Mall, popularly known as SPAR Mall, in Cross River State, Nigeria. Each affected business owner will receive ₦25 million. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced the intervention on Friday in Calabar, stating that the funds are intended to cushion the impact of the inferno on the victims.

She also disclosed that an additional ₦50 million was presented to the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, to support women's groups, while ₦15 million was given to women who received her in the state, bringing the total intervention to ₦515 million. "Mr President commiserates with the government and people of Cross River over this unfortunate incident that destroyed many businesses and livelihoods." This intervention is to provide immediate support and help victims recover from their losses, Senator Tinubu said. The intervention follows the August 22 fire outbreak at the shopping mall, which affected several businesses and destroyed properties worth billions of naira, leaving business owners with substantial losses.

Receiving the First Lady, Governor Bassey Otu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Senator Tinubu for the intervention, describing it as a timely gesture that would bring succour to victims of the fire disaster. The governor said the relief package would provide meaningful assistance to the affected business owners as they begin the process of rebuilding their businesses and livelihoods.