Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has ordered the immediate closure of Saint Academy School and called for a thorough investigation into the building collapse that resulted in 22 deaths and 132 injuries.
The governor made this announcement during a visit to the collapsed building site in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area, where he assessed the situation alongside the school’s principal and staff.
Governor Mutfwang expressed his condolences and emphasized the urgency of prioritizing safety over profit in private schools. “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,” he stated.
To prevent similar incidents, the governor revealed plans for a technical audit of all schools in the area to assess their structural integrity. “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,” Mutfwang added.
The school building collapsed during class hours on Friday. The deceased have been taken to various morgues across the state, while the 132 injured individuals are receiving treatment at different hospitals.
According to a statement from Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, “As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased. Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.”
To ensure prompt medical attention, the state government has instructed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritize the treatment of the victims, irrespective of documentation or payment. “Governor Barrister Mutfwang has specifically instructed these hospitals to accommodate all those affected by the collapse,” Ashoms said.
The governor, who visited the site of the two-storey building collapse, noted that the affected section of the school had around 200 occupants, although the school had a total population of 400 students. The Commissioner also criticized the structural integrity of the collapsed building and warned other schools with similar issues to shut down.
“You can see that it is by the river bank and, from your eye evaluation, you know that it is not a very strong structure,” Ashoms said. “We are calling on other schools that didn’t follow plans that have similar issues to close down in the interest of our state, in the interest of our people, because we have established a committee to go around.”
