The Minister of Housing and Urban Development in Nigeria Ahmed Dangiwa, has called for an immediate investigation into the collapse of Saint Academy School in Jos, Plateau State, which occurred on Friday, July 12, 2024.
Dangiwa labeled the incident as “unacceptable” and assured that those responsible would face the full weight of the law.
In a statement shared with journalists on Saturday, July 13, 2024 in Abuja, the minister expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery. “We will not relent in this commitment to ensure that Nigerians can sleep in their homes, work at their various places of business, or even learn in their schools with peace of mind knowing that the building will not collapse on them,” he stated.
Over 40 students have been rescued from the rubble, with many still hospitalized. Emphasizing the need for strict enforcement of building standards and regulations to prevent such tragedies, Dangiwa noted, “Building collapse is preventable, and we are committed to ensuring that building standards and regulations are enforced in the country.”
He highlighted the strong warnings issued to developers of ongoing projects and the control and monitoring mechanisms set up by the ministry. The minister promised that this probe would be thorough, ensuring accountability unlike past investigations where no one was prosecuted. “Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” he vowed.
Dangiwa concluded by reassuring all that the ministry’s efforts would continue unabated to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
