By FWENJI GO’AR
TALK of the tragic incident that has plunged the country, particularly Plateau State, into deep mourning, following the collapse of a 2-storey building housing a block of classes of the Saint Academy in Jos has resulted in the tragic deaths of 22 individuals and left 132 others with varying degrees of injuries.
It left in its wake a trail of sorrow and tears for parents who lost their children in the incident. By the reactions of most parents directly affected, many of them would be traumatized for a long time to come.
Quite a number of them are yet to come to terms with the fact that their children are no more. The blame-game began a few moments after the tragedy struck and it is yet to abate. Preliminary investigations have pointed to the use of substandard materials as the primary cause of the collapse, raising serious concerns about the safety and integrity of the building.
Our correspondent, who arrived at the scene shortly after the collapse, reported that the building’s foundation was laid six years ago. The additional two stories were constructed more recently, raising questions about the adequacy of the original structure to support the new levels.
The disaster struck at around 11.00 am, during a National Examination Council (NECO) session that had drawn students from various schools in the area.
Commenting on the incident, a local resident who pleaded anonymity offered critical insights into the construction flaws. “The foundation and the iron rods used were inadequate for a two-storey building. The pillars lacked proper concrete work, and the building is situated near a waterway. Ongoing mining activities in the vicinity might have also contributed to the collapse,” he explained.
Sunday Monday, a Civil Engineer from Farin-Gada who rushed to assist in the rescue efforts, confirmed the use of inferior materials. “The engineer who constructed this building was fortunate it didn’t collapse on him. The structure couldn’t support the weight of the students,” he observed, highlighting the gravity of the construction deficiencies.
It has also been reported that the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, expressed profound grief and anger over the tragedy, condemning the greed that jeopardized the lives of innocent children. “How can people be so callous? These children were the future leaders, and their lives have been cut short due to sheer greed and negligence,” he lamented.
Terver Tyosar, Senior Coordinator at the Nigeria Buildings and Roads Institute, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, provided a professional assessment of the collapse. “Poor materials were used, and it’s doubtful that any certified professionals were involved in this construction. Poor workmanship significantly contributed to this tragedy,” he stated, calling for stricter regulations and oversight in the construction industry.
This writer also captured some personal tragic and heart-wrenching accounts.
Mrs. Esther Ajayi, the mother of the 15-year old Precious Ajayi, an SS 1 student who died in the incident recounted her ordeal. “What happened to me, I am not okay. I am not happy at all. Her name is Precious Ajayi. She is 15 years old, in SS 1. I heard people shouting, ‘Saint Academy! Saint Academy!!’ I saw the building down. I rushed there. They told me my daughter was in the hospital but I found her in the mortuary.” Her account of what she recalls about the occurrence was not really coherent because she seemed to be struggling with coming to terms with the tragedy.
Her account paints a vivid picture of the chaos and despair that gripped the scene as parents and relatives rushed to find their loved ones amidst the rubble – some dead, some still alive.
Asabe Daniel, a resident of Laranto whose 7 grandchildren attend the school also recounted her own story. Speaking in Hausa, she said: “I was at work when it happened. They called me. I saw my missed calls and thought something had happened. The mother of a girl called me to say the school had collapsed with children inside. I ran there, but it was packed with security personnel. Seven of my grandchildren were there. The first decking fell on them, and then the second. My other son, a teacher there, was also trapped. He was rescued when they saw his hand sticking out of the rubble. He was calling for help.”
Although her son and 7 grandchildren made it out alive, she sent her heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones and prayed that this occurrence would not be witnessed again.
The harrowing accounts highlighted the widespread impact of the disaster on the community.
In another account, Da Sunday Chumang, who lost a granddaughter, said, “The deceased is my granddaughter, in SS 2. She has been with us for years. Her father is late, and her mother is not with us. This incident touched the hearts of many families and our neighbors. It was a difficult event. People cried for their lost loved ones.”
Talking about other parents who lost children in the incident too, he noted, “We have to sympathize with each other. So we sympathize with them too. It is not easy. It is something that touches the heart of everyone that lost their beloved ones. Not only that, it touches the heart of many other families who are our neighbours, who are our relatives as well. It was not an easy incident. When it happened, you could hear people crying. Those whose children were not affected, they cried. It was a difficult thing. My granddaughter’s name is Pererat Ayuba Chumang.”
These stories and many others which are not recorded here underscore the personal and familial losses that have reverberated throughout the country as a result of collapsed buildings, leaving a lasting impact on those who lost their loved ones.
The tragic collapse has left the community in deep sorrow, mourning the loss of young lives and questioning the actions of those responsible for the building’s construction. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with many demanding justice for the victims and their families.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring such a disaster never occurs again. Community leaders, parents, and officials are united in their grief and determination to seek answers and prevent future tragedies. The collapse of Saint Academy serves as a grim reminder of the importance of construction standards and the dire consequences of negligence.
In the wake of this disaster, there is a collective resolve to improve building regulations, enhance oversight and ensure that no more lives are lost to preventable tragedies. The community’s resilience and commitment to justice will be crucial in the coming days as they navigate this profound loss and work towards rebuilding and healing.
The encouraging aspect of the whole saga is that the Plateau State Government is doing something concrete about it. It is certainly living up to expectations. The Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), further empowered by the Executive Order 003, is working to forestall any future occurrence.
