SPAR Mall Fire: Gov. Otu Extends Relief to 22 More Affected Businesses

Share on WhatsApp Share via Email The Cross River State Government has extended its relief intervention to 22 additional businesses affected by the SPAR Mall fire incident in Calabar, reaffirming its commitment to helping operators rebuild their businesses, restore livelihoods and sustain employment.

The assurance was given during a meeting convened in Calabar on Friday, November 6, 2026, 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 the 22 businesses whose goods, equipment and other business assets were destroyed or looted during the incident but were not covered by the initial relief intervention provided to businesses that suffered total losses.

Speaking at the meeting, Akiba recalled the devastating impact of the fire outbreak on businesses, property and livelihoods, noting that the incident also threatened jobs and disrupted economic activities within the affected establishments.

He explained that following Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s engagement with the Federal Government, an initial intervention was secured for 18 businesses that suffered total losses, while the state government subsequently made additional provisions to accommodate other affected operators.

Akiba disclosed that the state government had committed over ₦100 million towards supporting the affected businesses, with individual payments determined by the extent of losses incurred.

He said some beneficiaries had already received their payments, adding that the meeting was convened to reassure the remaining operators of the government’s determination to ensure that all eligible businesses affected by the incident received assistance.

The Special Adviser stressed that the government’s intervention would extend beyond immediate financial relief, explaining that further discussions would focus on supporting the full recovery of the businesses and encouraging improved insurance arrangements to protect operators against future losses.

In his remarks, the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, represented by the Agency’s Disaster Management Officer, Mr. Agbor Okim, commended the affected business operators for their patience and understanding throughout the engagement with the government.

He described the intervention as evidence of the state government’s commitment to supporting residents affected by disasters, while emphasising the need to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity across the state.

Nyong disclosed that the Agency was collaborating with the South-South Development Commission to improve its operational capacity, including the provision of a firefighting truck and an ambulance expected to arrive before December.

He added that arrangements were underway to train qualified personnel to operate the firefighting equipment and strengthen the Agency’s capacity to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies.

The CR-SEMA Director-General urged the beneficiaries to utilise the financial assistance as a foundation for rebuilding their businesses, while appreciating them for their patience throughout the intervention process.

Also speaking, the Manager of SPAR Mall, Mr. Oluwagbenga Ewarawon, thanked the state government for its support, noting that the intervention would help affected businesses recover and preserve the jobs of employees who depended on them for their livelihoods.

He explained that while some shops within the mall employed between three and four persons, larger business outlets had workforces exceeding 50, stressing that the recovery of the affected businesses would also help protect jobs and sustain commercial activities.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Rose Nwadike, who represented her employer, Mr. Ibeto Henry of Black and White Salon, also expressed appreciation to the Federal and State Governments for the assistance, describing the intervention as helpful in enabling affected businesses to recover and resume operations.