PLATEAU: Govt declares three days of mourning for victims of school building collapse

The school building in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area of the state, collapsed in during class, killing 22 people and injuring other teachers and children.

In reaction to the terrible loss of life and severe injuries, the government ordered that all flags in the state be flown at half-mast for the three-day mourning period, which runs from July 13 to July 15, in commemoration of the school building collapse victims.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, issued a statement confirming this today.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who visited the school today, expressed his profound sympathies to the families affected by the tragic occurrence and asked citizens to carefully adhere to building standards and ethics to avoid similar catastrophes.

He emphasized the importance of all developers and property owners submitting their building plans to the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) for verification and revalidation as part of the implementation of Executive Order 003.

“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,” Muftwang said.

“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.”

Muftwang has also announced immediate closure of Saint Academy School and ordered full investigation into the building collapse.

“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 governor said.

Twenty four hours after the incident, twenty two persons have been confirmed dead, fifty eight persons in the hospital receiving treatment while the rest have been treated and discharged.