Jos: NUJ Backs Implementation Of Executive Order 003 To Avert Building Collapse
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
Following the collapsed of Saints Academy School, Jos on Friday, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council has thrown its weight behind the implementation of the Executive Order 003 to prevent future building collapse in the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ayuku Pwaspo and Secretary, Mary Domtur, the Union expressed sadness that students, who were writing their promotion examinations, and some teachers, who were supervising same, lost their lives in circumstances that were clearly avoidable if the right things had been done at the right time.
The Union said there is reason to believe that standards were not adhered to in the construction of the collapsed building.
It, therefore, urged the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) to sustain efforts towards ensuring that standards are strictly adhered to in the construction of buildings across the State.
The NUJ noted that there are other schools in the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis that would fail integrity tests, and called on the State Ministry of Education and other relevant bodies to clamp down on such schools to avoid a reoccurrence.
The Union commended the swift response by the Plateau State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency, The Red Cross, Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, and the security agencies in the state as well as volunteers who performed invaluable roles in the search and rescue efforts.
NUJ also commended the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Our Lady of Apostles Hospital (OLA), Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital for attending to the emergencies which the incident generated, just as it saluted citizens who donated blood to save lives.
The union appreciated its members who defied all odds to report the tragic incident in a professional manner.
While expressing its deepest condolences to the families who lost their children, wards and loved ones in the collapsed building, the Union prayed for comfort for all citizens who are traumatized by the incident.
