WoPU Commiserates with Cross River State Over Calabar SPAR Mall Fire, Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures

By WoPU Media Directorate

August 22, 2026

Working People United (WoPU) expresses its deep sympathy and solidarity with the people of Cross River State, particularly business owners, workers, and families affected by the devastating fire outbreak at the SPAR Mall in Calabar.

The incident is a painful loss to the Cross River community, particularly to the business owners, workers and families whose livelihoods have been affected. The destruction of businesses, goods and properties is a significant setback, and WoPU recognises the difficult circumstances faced by those directly impacted by the incident.

WoPU recognises the anguish currently being experienced by business owners, employees and other workers whose livelihoods have been affected by the incident. We stand with them in this difficult moment and urge them not to lose hope. We believe that the resilience of Cross Riverians, coupled with the support of government, relevant institutions and the wider community, will help affected businesses and workers recover from this setback.

As a workers-focused organisation, WoPU maintains that the protection of lives, livelihoods and workplaces must remain a collective responsibility. Safety regulations and emergency preparedness must never be treated as mere formalities. Business owners and managers must ensure strict compliance with fire prevention and safety standards, while workers must also be adequately trained and equipped to respond to emergencies.

WoPU also calls on the relevant fire and emergency response agencies to strengthen their preparedness, response capacity and monitoring systems across the state. Fire outbreaks can escalate within minutes; therefore, emergency services must be adequately equipped, strategically positioned and constantly prepared to respond swiftly whenever disaster strikes.

We further urge the Cross River State Government and relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the incident, identify any lapses that may have contributed to the scale of the disaster, and ensure that appropriate lessons are drawn to prevent a recurrence.

Businesses cannot thrive where safety is compromised, and communities cannot prosper when the means of livelihood of their people are continually threatened.

WoPU stands in solidarity with Cross Riverians at this difficult time and calls for a coordinated response that prioritises the welfare of affected workers, business owners and families.

We pray for strength for everyone affected and urge all stakeholders to turn this painful incident into a renewed commitment to workplace safety, emergency preparedness and the protection of livelihoods.

Signed:

Media Directorate

Working People United (WoPU)