Lawal condemned those who label Northerners as lazy because of their opposition to the bill. He argued that the North plays a vital role in supplying raw materials to industries in the South, such as breweries, flour mills, and food processing companies. He questioned what the South contributes in return.

This development comes as part of effort to eliminate Malaria following a loss of $1.1bn annually to the health crisis.

“The command has, however, begun an investigation into the cause of the fire incident and notes that no life was lost. Also, the worth of goods destroyed is yet to be ascertained.”