PDP, APC commiserate with Plateau gov over school building collapse

The Peoples Democratic Party has condoled Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and the parents affected by the tragic school building collapse in Jos, the state capital.

This is just as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress has declared that it is deeply saddened by the news of the school’s collapse.

The death toll from the school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday morning, has risen to 22.

Initially, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, reported 17 fatalities, following a rescue operation at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos North Local Government Area.

However, in a statement released on Friday night, the state Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, updated the figures, confirming that the death toll had increased to 22, with 154 others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

In response, the PDP, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, expressed sadness over the incident, which has caused immense agony, sorrow, and pain to the students, teachers, parents, families, the government, and the people of Plateau State, as well as the entire nation.

The statement read in part, “Indeed, the heartrending death of these young Nigerian children who left their respective homes to school in search of knowledge and pursuit of their dreams and aspirations came as a huge blow to our nation and humanity and we pray that their death will not be in vain.

“Our party commiserates with Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and stands in prayers with the teachers, parents, siblings and families of the victims as well as the injured at this trying time.

“The PDP commends Governor Mutfwang for his swift intervention in search and rescue operation, recovery and provision of all necessary emergency aids including prompt evacuation of victims and medical assistance to the injured.

“The PDP prays for the repose of the souls of the dead, divine consolation for the bereaved and speedy recovery of the injured.”

Also expressing sadness at the incident in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC described the collapse as “unbearably heartbreaking.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress is deeply saddened by the news of the collapse of the Saint Academy School building in Busa Abuja in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State which claimed the lives of children, students, staff and injured many others yesterday, Friday, July 12, 2024.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the innocent lives lost and best wishes for speedy recovery to those injured by the tragic incident. The incident is unbearably heartbreaking as the children and adults killed and injured were in the place they were supposed to be, in school, doing exactly what was expected of them.

“We urge the Plateau State Government to enforce building control standards more vigorously to guarantee safety and prevent a reoccurrence of a tragedy of this kind. We commend the emergency response led by the National Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies, including medical personnel that conducted the rescue, evacuation and treatment of victims of this horrific incident.

“May God grant the departed eternal rest and may He comfort the families they left behind. Amen.

PUNCH Online reports that the Saint Academy School building, located in the Busa Buji community, collapsed around 8.30 am. on Friday when the students and teachers were in their classes.

The state Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, disclosed in a statement on Friday that 120 persons were trapped under the rubbles while giving an update on the incident.