Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has ordered the closure of Saints Academy in Jos, which collapsed on Friday, July 12.
The school, which had 284 secondary students and 145 primary pupils, collapsed on Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and injuring 154 others.
The state Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, confirmed the closure of the school in a statement on Saturday. Ashoms stated that Mutfwang gave the order during his visit to the site of the collapsed building in the Busa Buji community.
Additionally, the governor ordered the arrest of artisanal miners operating around residential areas in the state. He also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased children and promised that the state government would cover the treatment costs for the injured students.
Ashoms announced that the state government has declared a three-day mourning period following the incident. The statement read in part:
“In response to the tragic loss of lives and injuries sustained by teachers and students of Saints Academy Jos, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared a three-day period of mourning from July 13 to July 15, 2024. During this time, all flags will be flown at half-mast to honour the victims of the school building collapse in Jos.
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.
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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.
Governor Mutfwang also extends his deepest gratitude to the people of Plateau State for their tremendous support and solidarity in the wake of this tragedy.
He thanks the first responders for their swift action and commends the many citizens who donated blood and other resources to aid the injured.”
The statement also mentioned that out of the 154 injured people who were rushed to the hospital, 74 have been treated and discharged. The remaining 58 individuals are still hospitalized:
- Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH): 6
- Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH): 6
- Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH): 14
- Our Lady of Apostles Hospital (OLA): 32
A total of 74 people have been discharged.