Next Cash and Carry Supermarket will Come Back Stronger, Says FCT Minister

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has promised the needed support for the NEXT Cash and Carry shopping mall in order to ensure its restoration from the fire incident that engulfed it on Boxing Day.

The minister made the remarks yesterday while conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the mall.

He said the fire incident at the place was something that jolted the city given that it was an important investment, which provided jobs for many.

Bello described NEXT as one of the companies that provided tremendous support to the FCTA during the lockdown in form of palliative items, which were distributed to vulnerable members of the community.

He expressed delight that no life was lost, and substantial part of the premises where bulk items were stored in the warehouses was also saved.

According to him, “This particular incident brought out what is good about us as residents, as everybody united and supported them.

“Unfortunately, today, they are also vulnerable people, so it is our duty in the city to rally round and protect this important investment that has generated many jobs in the city.”

He, however, commended the managers and staff of NEXT Cash ‘N Carry for having and activating the internal firefighting mechanism in place, which greatly helped in curtailing the inferno.

On the update of investigations into the remote cause of the inferno, the minister said: “The experts are checking to see what the causes are.”

Meanwhile, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has called for a review of the Fire Service Act of 1963 to put it in line with current realities.

The Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idris, noted that the Act has become obsolete, and limits the enforcement powers of emergency agencies in carrying out their duties.

He emphasised that the laws must be reviewed for public safety.