Uyo building collapse: Hospitals discharge 50 victims

Ten hospitals and clinics hosting several victims of  last Saturday’s Reigners International Church building collapse, have discharged over 50 patients, the Nigerian Tribune learnt on Thurrsday.

Among those sent home from the hospitals included the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Ekerete Udoh; the Chief Protocol, Honourable Edmond Uffang and others.

Because of the exigencies of their offices, the affected government officials, it was gathered, were discharged “to continue their medication and treatment at home.”

Meanwhile, Governor Udom, also on Thursday, inaugurated a panel of inquiry to unravel the mystery surrounding  the church building collapse.

Inaugurating the commission at the Government House, Uyo, the state capital, the governor charged them to do a thorough job of unraveling the immediate and remote causes of the incident and make recommendations to government.

The seven-member panel has Justice Umoekeyo Essang as chairman, with Mr James Utiaruk; Mr Essien Nkanga; ACP Abibo; Prophet John Linus; Mr Asuquo Okon and Mr. James Amiang as members, while Mrs Emem Victor Daniel of the Ministry of Justice, Uyo, will serve as secretary.

The commission, which starts sitting today, is saddled with the responsibility of “investigating and probing the immediate and remote causes of the collapse building; examining the roles played by any person, institutions and authorities, as well as establishing the consequences of such roles.“The commission will also identify and indict any person, institutions and authorities responsible either remotely or immediately and apply appropriate sanctions.”

“Examine all the circumstances surrounding the collapsed structure and make recommendations’.

Also, institutions and individuals affected have continued to mourn victims of the accident.

The Alumni Association of the University of Uyo, that lost some students in the crash, commiserated with the government, the church and the people of the state.

The president of the association, Professor Gabriel Umoh, described the incident as tragic and prayed for the repose of the souls of those affected and the fortitude to bear the loss by the families of those affected.

In the same vein, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enag, also commiserated with Governor Udom, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria over the tragic incident.

Sympathisers have continued to throng the scene of the accident to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of their dear ones and for God to heal the wounds nursed by families of those affected.