Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has ordered the immediate closure of The Saints Academy School in Jos, following a tragic incident where a block of classrooms collapsed, resulting in the death of 22 people and leaving approximately 145 others injured during an examination session.
Visibly outraged, Governor Mutfwang attributed the collapse to severe negligence on the part of the school’s owners.
He personally inspected the site of the incident and visited hospitals where casualties were receiving treatment on Saturday.
“It is regrettable that this tragedy occurred, but we cannot allow the school to continue operating,” Governor Mutfwang declared. “The safety of lives must not be compromised for profit. We will conduct a comprehensive technical audit of all schools, both public and private, to ensure compliance with building codes and structural integrity.”
Emphasizing the recently enacted Executive Order 003 aimed at enhancing building standards, Governor Mutfwang underscored the importance of adherence to regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.
“We will establish a high-powered committee to investigate this incident,” he announced. “Experts will be brought in to determine accountability, and anyone found responsible will face legal consequences.”
Mr. Hart Bankat, General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDC), suggested that poor quality building materials may have contributed to the collapse. He assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the exact causes.
In response to the governor’s inquiries, Mr. Daramola Akindele, the school’s principal, stated that he conducted daily inspections of the school grounds and had not observed any indications of structural instability prior to the incident.
Governor Mutfwang also visited hospitals treating victims and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
