National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State visited Saint Academy in Jos on Saturday, where a tragic building collapse occurred on Friday, July 12.
The incident resulted in the death of 22 pupils and teachers, with 132 others sustaining injuries.
During his visit, Governor Mutfwang extended his condolences to the affected families and declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the victims. The state government has also mandated that all flags be flown at half-mast from July 13 to July 15 to honour the deceased.
Governor Mutfwang emphasized the importance of adhering to building codes and safety regulations to prevent such tragedies
He assured that the government would provide the best possible medical care for the injured and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens, especially our children, is our top priority. We urge all schools to comply with safety regulations and secure the necessary approvals from the JMDB before beginning any construction projects,” Mutfwang said.
The governor also announced the immediate closure of Saint Academy School and ordered a full investigation into the building collapse.
He stressed the need for a technical audit of all schools to ensure the structural integrity of their buildings.
“We cannot take any further chances. The profit motive must not overshadow the safety of lives. We are going to test the structural integrity of all school buildings to ensure they are safe for human habitation,” he added.
In a positive development, 81 victims of the building collapse have been discharged from various hospitals. Dr Abel Izang, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at Plateau Specialist Hospital, reported that 23 out of 39 patients had been discharged, while two were referred to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) due to spinal injuries.
Similarly, Prof. Steve Anzaku, Chief Medical Director of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, stated that 23 out of 55 hospitalised patients had been discharged, with the remaining in stable condition. Mrs Chioma Ofodille, Public Relations Officer at Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Hospital, confirmed that 23 out of 32 patients had been discharged, and the remaining nine were in stable condition.
Dr. Josiah Njem, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at JUTH, also reported that the six victims hospitalized there were in stable condition.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Musa Ashoms, confirmed on Friday that 154 people were rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 were confirmed dead, with six in critical condition.
The state government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens and will continue to provide support to those affected by this tragic incident.
