The member of the House of the Representatives representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani federal constituency of Cross River, Hon Bassey Akiba, has expressed profound grief following the devastating inferno that engulfed the SPAR Mall, in Calabar.
The federal lawmaker described the incident as deeply distressing, extending his heartfelt sympathy to every trader who has suffered loss and disruption as a result of the tragedy.
He said, “Imagine building something for years, nurturing it with sweat, sacrifice and hope, only to watch flames consume it in a matter of moments. Imagine standing before the ashes of what once represented years of labour, dreams and livelihood.
“That is the pain many are carrying today. We feel their anguish, we share their sorrow and we stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult moment.”
Akiba commended the emergency responders, security personnel and volunteers who demonstrated courage, dedication and selflessness in the face of the disaster, stressing, however, that beyond responding to emergencies after they occur, greater emphasis must be placed on prevention, preparedness and strict enforcement of fire-safety regulations to avert avoidable tragedies and safeguard lives and property.
He reiterated, “We must strengthen our resolve to prevent disasters before they happen. We owe those affected not only our sympathy, but also our commitment to building safer public spaces, enforcing appropriate safety standards, and strengthening emergency-response systems.
“Every lesson from this tragedy must translate into concrete action that protects lives and prevents a recurrence.
“May God comfort every grieving heart, strengthen every affected family, restore hope to those who have suffered losses, and grant our city the grace and resilience to heal from this painful experience.”
