Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has ordered the immediate closure of Saint Academy School, as well as a complete inquiry into the building collapse, which killed 22 people and injured 132 others. The state government also proclaimed a three-day mourning period for those killed in the school building collapse on Friday.
The governor issued the order for the school closure while visiting the collapsed building premises in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area of the State for an assessment of the situation as he walked around the school grounds, with the school principal and personnel on hand to greet him.
According to Muftwang: “It is unfortunate what has happened but of course what it means is that this school is closed down immediately. We can’t take any further chances and we need to send this message particularly to owners of private schools.
“The motive for profit must not overshadow the safety of lives. And so we are going to take steps immediately to do a technical audit of all the schools, we are going to test their structural integrity to ensure that human beings can inhabit such buildings”.
The school building caved in while students and techers were in class on Friday. While the dead bodies have been deposited in different morgues in the State, the 132 injured persons are receiving treatment at different hospitals.
Honorable Musa Ashoms, Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication in a statement Friday evening: “As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased.
“Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.
“To ensure prompt medical attention, the government has directed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritise treatment of the victims, regardless of documentation or payment.
“Governor Barrister Mutfwang has specifically instructed these hospitals to accommodate all those affected by the collapse”.
He had earlier visited the scene of the collapsed two-storey structure and said while the school had a population of 400 students, the section that was affected had about 200 persons.
The Commissioner also lamented that the collapsed structure did not meet the standards for buildings and warned schools that have similar structures to shut down.
Said he: “You can see that it is by the river bank and, from your eye evaluation, you know that it is not a very strong structure.
“We are calling on other schools that didn’t follow plans that have similar issues to close down in the interest of our State; in the interest of our people, because we have established a committee to go around”.
No fewer than 22 lives were lost and injuries were sustained by several teachers and students when the school building caved in while class was on.
In response to the tragic loss of lives and several injuries sustained, the government ordered that all flags within the state be flown at half-mast during the declared three-day mourning which starts from July 13 to July 15 in honour of the school building collapse victims.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, on Saturday.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who visited the school on Saturday, extended his heartfelt condolences to families affected by the devastating incident and urged citizens to strictly follow building codes and ethics to prevent such tragedies.
He emphasised the need for all developers and property owners to submit their building plans to the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) for verification and revalidation, as part of the enforcement of Executive Order 003.
Said Muftwang: “We offer our deepest sympathies and unwavering support to those affected during this incredibly difficult time. We are dedicated to providing the best possible medical care for the injured and will conduct a thorough investigation to determine 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”.
Twenty four hours after the incident, 22 persons were confirmed dead, 58 persons are in the hospital receiving treatment while the rest have been treated and discharged.
