Plateau gov visits site of collapsed school building, orders probe

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Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State visited the venue of the two-storey school building in Jos, oordering immediate closure of Saint Academy School.

The governor also ordered full investigation into the building collapse that killed 22 and injured 132 persons, while declaring days of mourning in the state.

At the scene of the collapsed building premises in the Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area of the state, the governor embarked on site assessment of situation, going round the school premises, with the school principal and staff who receive him.

According to him, “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 was said to have caved on Friday, with 22 dead he dead bodies in the rubbies and 132 injured persons are receiving treatment at different hospitals.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, said in the statement, “As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been deposited at the morgue.

“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 prioritize 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.”

The school is said to have a population of 400 students, with the affected section having 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.