Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has pledged to ensure that all building infrastructure in the state undergoes rigorous integrity to avoid building collapse, even as he vowed to recover all illegally acquired government properties.
Recall that 22 students of Saint Academy College Jos died in July this year when a two-story classroom building collapsed on them while writing their NECO examinations. A score of others also sustained fatal injuries in the tragedy.
Receiving the report of the committee set up to investigate the incident, Governor Muftwang commended the chairman of the committee, Prof. Danladi Slim Matawal, and the other members for their thorough and insightful work, describing the report as a critical guide for government actions.
The Governor further directed the committee to extend its scope to include assessments of the Jos Main Market and the Rockland Hotel in Laminga, adding that the move is aimed at ascertaining the structural integrity of these facilities for timely interventions.
“When we set up this committee, it was during a very critical moment in the history of our state. We had just come out of mourning the loss of 22 precious children in the St. Academy School building collapse. The committee was tasked with investigating the causes of building collapses across the state and recommending measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
“Your work is not yet complete. I expect you to assess the Rockland Hotel. Let’s conduct integrity tests on the building to determine the way forward.”
Governor Mutfwang also issued a strong warning to individuals in illegal possession of government property, directing them to vacate such properties immediately or face severe consequences.
He announced plans to establish a task force before the end of the month to investigate and recover all government-owned properties illegally acquired across the state.
“Anyone in possession of government property acquired unlawfully should surrender it immediately. A task force will be constituted to recover these properties, and those involved in illegal sales or acquisitions will face justice. Be it fraudulent letters of authority or unlawfully obtained certificates of occupancy, we will uncover the truth and take decisive action,” the governor declared.
He also highlighted plans to restructure and strengthen the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) for improved service delivery.
Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties in Plateau State, emphasising that negligence and illegal activities will not be tolerated.
Prof. Danladi Slim Matawal, the committee chairman, expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve. He described the assignment as emotionally challenging, given the tragic accounts of the 22 lives lost and 11 others injured due to the building collapse.
Matawal disclosed that the management of St. Academy School failed to provide architectural drawings or government approval for the collapsed structure. He said the committee, among others, recommended that the Plateau State Government should take decisive actions to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.
The report, presented in three volumes, details the findings and recommendations of the committee: Volume 1 contains the Executive Summary, Volume 2 has the Main Report, and Volume 3 contains Memoranda and other documents.
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