Akiba disclosed that the state government had committed more than ₦100 million to support the affected businesses, with individual payments determined by the extent of losses incurred.
By Frank Ulom
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Published on November 10, 2026
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4 min read
The Cross River State Government has extended its financial relief intervention to 22 additional businesses affected by the SPAR Mall fire incident in Calabar, reaffirming its commitment to supporting business recovery, restoring livelihoods and protecting jobs.
The assurance was given on Friday, November 6, 2026, during a meeting convened in Calabar by the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA).
The meeting brought together representatives of 22 businesses whose goods, equipment and other assets were destroyed or looted during the incident but were not included in the initial relief intervention for 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 employment and disrupted economic activities within the affected establishments.
He explained that following Governor Bassey 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 more than ₦100 million to support 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 organised to reassure other affected operators that the government remained committed to ensuring that all eligible businesses received assistance.
The Special Adviser emphasised that the intervention would go beyond immediate financial relief, explaining that further discussions would focus on helping the businesses achieve full recovery 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 highlighting the need to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity across Cross River State.
Nyong disclosed that CR-SEMA 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 being made to train qualified personnel to operate the firefighting equipment and improve the agency’s ability to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies.
The CR-SEMA director-general urged beneficiaries to use 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.
Ewarawon explained that while some shops within the mall employed between three and four people, larger business outlets had workforces exceeding 50 employees.
He stressed that the recovery of the affected businesses would therefore help protect jobs and sustain commercial activities within the mall.
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.
She described the intervention as helpful in enabling affected businesses to recover and resume operations.
The latest intervention represents an expansion of the state government’s response to the SPAR Mall fire incident, with attention shifting towards supporting additional affected operators and restoring commercial activities.
