The Plateau State government has declared three days of mourning for the victims of the Saint Academy School building collapse on Friday.
At least 22 people lost their lives, and several teachers and students sustained injuries when the school building in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area, collapsed during class.
In response to the tragic incident, the government has ordered all flags within the state to be flown at half-mast from July 13 to July 15 to honor the victims.
This announcement was made in a statement signed by the Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, on Saturday.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who visited the school on Saturday, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the affected families and urged citizens to adhere strictly to building codes and ethics to prevent such tragedies.
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, in line with 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,” 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 were confirmed dead, fifty eight persons are in the hospital receiving treatment while the rest have been treated and discharged.