Ukorebi Esien | August 23, 2026
CALABAR – The Cross River State representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Chief Orok Otu Duke, has called for the recovery of fire trucks reportedly found at the residence of a former government official and their deployment to strengthen the state’s emergency response capacity.
Duke made the call while expressing deep concern and sympathy over the fire outbreak that gutted sections of the SPAR Mall, also known as Calabar Mall, in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, 2026.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Duke sympathised with the management of Artee Group/SPAR Mall Nigeria, affected traders, shop owners, workers and others who lost valuable goods and investments in the incident.
He noted that it was reassuring that no lives were lost or serious injuries recorded, attributing this in part to the efforts of emergency responders.
The NDDC commissioner commended the Cross River State Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force and other security and emergency agencies for their prompt response in containing the fire, securing the premises and preventing further damage or looting.
However, Duke said the incident had again highlighted the need for Cross River State to strengthen its firefighting and emergency response infrastructure.
“I also wish that some of the Fire Trucks that were recently discovered in the private residence of a former Govt official, could be recovered and added to the fleet of CRS owned Fire Trucks,” he stated.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Duke said preliminary reports pointed to a possible electrical fault.
He urged the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent and expeditious investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
Duke, who represents Cross River State on the NDDC Board, also acknowledged the economic impact of the fire on businesses and livelihoods, describing SPAR Mall as an important commercial hub for Calabar and the wider state.
He expressed his readiness to support coordinated efforts by the Cross River State Government, led by Governor Bassey Otu, and other stakeholders to provide relief and facilitate the recovery of affected businesses.
He further called on Cross Riverians, corporate organisations and development partners to extend practical support to those affected by the disaster.
Duke prayed for comfort and strength for the victims as they work to rebuild their businesses and recover from the losses.
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