July 13, (THEWILL) – The Plateau State Government had pledged to settle the medical bills of the victims of the two-storey building that collapsed on Friday, at Saints Academy, in the Busa Buji area of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
The State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who made this known during an assessment visit to the school, also announced that the school is now officially closed to business.
The Governor, who was this morning at the premises of the school where the tragedy struck, expressed shock over what he described as a lack of respect for lives and decent living, saying the State Government is going to immediately embark on a technical audit of the structures in both public and private schools to ensure that this kind of ugly incident does not happen again.
Noting that it was unfortunate that people put the motive for profit and money-making above respect for humanity and the sanctity of life, Mutfwang warned other proprietors of private schools to overhaul and ensure that the highest standards are maintained in the basic requirements for such schools to be licensed by the government.
The Governor commended all those who rendered assistance in whatever form to facilitate rescue operations and urged the people to continue in that spirit and rally round those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy.
Mutfwang also condemns illegal mining, especially within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis because of its adverse effects and threats to the environment, and issued a fiat to the Nigeria Police to arrest anyone involved in illegal mining activities.
The Governor, who later moved to the Bingham Teaching Hospital, Jankwano, and Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) Hospital to commiserate with victims of the incident, also urged members of the public to remain magnanimous and graceful as they comfort the victims during this period of emotional and physical pains.
Mutfwang also made a special appeal to parents of school children who died in the incident, saying he shared their pain and prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss and forge ahead.
The Governor was accompanied during the assessment visit by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Musa Ashoms; Commissioner for Urban Development; Joshua Ubandoma; Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Architect Sam Jatau, and other government officials.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has also declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the victims of the tragedy from Saturday, July 13 to Monday, July 16, 2024.
