I lost consciousness after a rod fell on my back.” Those were the words of one of the survivors of Reigners Bible Church that collapsed on Saturday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, even as Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner, CP, Murtala Mani, yesterday confirmed 27 dead and 37 injured in the disaster, dismissing speculations that as many as 60 or 120 died in the incident.
This came as the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, announced that the government would set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the disaster and bring to book persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building. Meanwhile, state governors and others have continued to send their condolences to Governor Emmanuel, the people of the state and victims’ families. Among governors that sent condolences, weekend, were Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Speaking to Vanguard at Anua Hospital, Anua Offot, in Uyo Local Government Area, Mrs. Eno Etim, 44, from Mbo LGA of the state, thanked God for saving her life. Narrating her ordeal she said: ”I was inside the church and everything was going on normally. A lady was called to lead the praise and worship when the governor entered. After the governor came in and the church welcomed him, the next thing was praise and worship. As that was going on, we heard the church roof breaking and started falling on people. Before we knew what was happening, the building fell on us. I do not know how I got to the hospital
Mrs. Eno Etim & Emem Akpanitiat, victims of the church collapse “That was all I remembered. I do not know how I got to this hospital. It was after a while that I regained consciousness. I still feel pain in my back and all over my body. But I am grateful to God because I am not better than those that lost their lives in the place.” She said added that she was a member of United Intercessors Network and that Pastor Akan Weeks was one of their leaders. Corroborating her, her niece, Nkoyo Ekong, said she was in the house when Etim called her that she should meet her in the hospital because she was involved in the church accident. Also Emem Akpanitiat, 22, who also managed to utter few words, because of excruciating on her head, legs and arms, because of injuries, equally said she did not know she got to the hospital. She added that she had been informed a doctor said she would be transferred to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Akwa Ibom CP Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, who disclosed that the injured were receiving treatment in three hospitals, said: “For now, we can confirm that 27 persons died in the church building collapse on Saturday. We have concluded rescue operations but we are monitoring the situation to see what happens further.” The victims evacuated from the collapsed church on Uyo Village Road, near Government House, are receiving treatment at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, St Lukes Hospital, Ibom Specialist Hospital and Lifecare Hospital. The State Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Aniekeme Uwah, said 22 bodies were deposited at UUTH. Uwah, who could not confirm the total number of deaths in other hospitals, said he had mobilised all medical practitioners in the state to be part of the rescue operations. He said it was not possible to identify the number of government officials and clergymen affected in the incident because the focus of rescue operation was on saving lives. Governor Emmanuel In the mean time, Governor Emmanuel has said the government is to set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the collapse and bring to book persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building. The governor said the essence of such action and its attendant penalty on culprits is with a view to forestalling a recurrence of such incident in future. In a broadcast yesterday, the governor also announced a two-day mourning between yesterday and today in honour of the victims urging the Christian community to show support, love and understanding in prayers for the families of the victims and the state. According to him: “We have never had such a shocking incident in the history of our dear state. I was present at the church when the incident occured and shared in the agony of the moment. I personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital. I directed all emergency organizations, agencies of government and corporate organizations especially the construction companies to be involved in the exercise. They acted promptly and I commend their sense of patriotism and gallantry.” Governors send condolences In his condolence message, Governor Obaseki, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, said: “We received with shock the sad news of the Reigners’ Bible Church International building collapse on Saturday. While I and the good people of Edo State rejoice over your miraculous escape, we, however, commiserate with your Excellency and family members of worshippers who lost dear ones in the incident.” Similarly, his Delta State counterpart, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the tragic death of some worshippers in the church was a very sad experience and prayed for the repose of the faithful departed. According to him: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State I commiserate with Governor Udom Emmanuel and the people of Akwa Ibom State over the unfortunate demise of several worshippers in the church.” In the same vein, Governor Bello, in a statement by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, said: “The entire nation is with the Akwa Ibom people at this dark hour. I wish to condole with my brother, Governor Emmanuel and the entire Akwa Ibom people over the unfortunate incident of the church auditorium collapse in which many are feared dead.” Also, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in its condolence by its Managing Director Mr. Nsima Ekere described the disaster as shocking and horrifying. He said: “My deepest condolences also go to the families of the victims of this very terrifying catastrophe.”
No comments:
Post a Comment