NEWS
Gov. Mutfwang Shuts Down School Whose Building Collapsed on Friday
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Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has shut down The Saints Academy School, Jos, whose block of classrooms collapsed on Friday, killing scores and leaving many others injured.
A visibly angry Mutfwang cited crass negligence by its owners as reason for the shut-down order.
Report says that 22 persons were confirmed dead with about 145 injured when the one-storey building collapsed on the students who were writing their examinations.
Mutfwang, who inspected the cite where the incident occurred, and visited some casualties on Saturday, said the disaster would have been avoided if the school owners had complied with building laws.
“It’s unfortunate that this has happened but, of course, we cannot allow the school to function.
The school is hereby closed down immediately; we cannot take any further chances.“We need to send this message, particularly to owners of private schools, that the drive for profit must not overshadow the safety of lives.
“We are going to carry out a technical audit of all the schools, including public schools; we are going to test structural integrity to ensure that human beings can inhabit buildings there.
“We are going to set up a very high-powered committee to investigate this incident. We are going to bring in building professionals to investigate this and anyone found culpable will certainly face the wrath of the law,” he said
While reiterating the recently established Executive Order 003, Mutfwang emphasised the need to conform to building laws so as to restore sanity and order to buildings and constructions within the metropolis.
“We cannot afford this situation any longer, that is why we signed the Executive Order 003; the goal is to be able to bring order and sanity into the building sector.
“When we insisted that some buildings be demolished, it wasn’t because we are wicked. We are concerned about the safety of lives.
“When we see buildings on water lines, or in marshy places, we have no option than to bring them down.
“People think that we are wicked, but we are going to go the extra mile now and make sure that violators are also prosecuted.
“We will not just bring down the buildings at government costs, we will make sure that violators pay the cost of such demolitions.
“It is time we told ourselves the truth; everybody must be responsible for human lives. We cannot afford this kind of mishap again,” he said.
Mr Hart Bankat, General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), while speaking on the possible reasons for the collapse, said he suspected poor building materials.
“Although investigations are ongoing, poor building materials were among reasons for the collapse.
“We are going to investigate this thoroughly, but even before then, it is obvious from the rubbles on ground that very very poor materials were used here.
“Insufficient cement mix, no gravels, you can see that the spacing from the rods and the slabs are falling down, all these show that the building wasnt properly done.
“Those are things that will be properly investigated, but we are calling on members of the public to report such things so that such losses can be averted,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Daramola Akindele, Principal of the school, who responded to the governor’s enquiries, said he did not see any sign that the building could collapse.
“I inspect the school compound daily. The owner of the school is late, but it is being managed by her husband, Mr Marius Onigwe, who is indisposed now.
“Being the administrative head of the school, I carry out a general inspection of the compound everyday. It was actually built before I came. But I didn’t imagine that something like this could happen. There was no sign whatsoever.”
Report says that the governor also visited some of the hospitals into which victims of the collapsed structure were admitted.
He also paid condolence visits to parents of the deceased students.(NAN)
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.