Seventy-four students injured in the collapse of a two-storey building at Saints Academy in the Busa Buji area of Jos North local government area, Plateau State, have been treated and discharged. However, 58 others are still receiving treatment at various hospitals in the city.
In response to the tragedy, the state government has declared a three-day mourning period to honor the 22 individuals who lost their lives in the incident.
State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, confirmed the development on Saturday. He stated, “In response to the tragic loss of lives and injuries sustained by teachers and students of Saints Academy Jos, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared a three-day period of mourning from July 13th to July 15th, 2024. During this time, all flags will be flown at half-mast to honor the victims of the school building collapse.
“Governor Mutfwang extends his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this devastating incident and urges citizens to strictly follow building codes and ethics to prevent such tragedies. He emphasizes 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.
“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.”
Ashoms added that at the time of this report, “58 individuals remain hospitalized, while the rest have been treated and discharged: Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) has six victims, Plateau State Specialist Hospital has six, Bingham University Teaching Hospital has 14, and Our Lady of Apostles Hospital (OLA) has 32. A total of 74 persons have been discharged.”
Comments