It’s exactly one year since a church building collapsed in Akwa Ibom State, killing 27 people, and injuring 37 on December 10, 2016.

Some additional number of people died much later from the injuries sustained during the incident.

The Reigners Bible Church, Uyo, which was under construction, caved in during a ceremony to consecrate the church founder, Akan Weeks, as a bishop.

The Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who was a special guest at the ceremony, narrowly escaped unhurt.

The state government hasn’t made any statement on the first anniversary of the incident.

Irked by what they described as the government “insensitivity” to the victims, the human rights community in the state has renewed their call for the urgent release of the report of the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the state government to investigate the incident.

The commission, headed by a retired judge, Umoekoyo Essang, submitted its report in July to the state government.

Inibehe Effiong, a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights campaigner, said that the government’s response to the Uyo church collapse has been “very unfortunate”.

“It clearly shows that government has interest in not doing justice in the matter because like we have maintained consistently, the founder of the church is known to be a personal friend of the governor,” Mr. Effiong told PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday.

“The government, from the information we had, even contributed to the building of the church. All these clearly show conflict of interest.

“This is why, for example, rather than ordering for the prosecution of those who were culpable, the government had to set up a judicial commission of inquiry. And several months after the panel submitted its report, the government has refused to make the report public,” Mr. Effiong said.

He accused the government of refusing to pay the medical bills of the victims and also abandoning the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.

Mr. Effiong said the people were worried about the way the case was being treated by the government.

“Importantly, it should be noted that at the commission of inquiry, which I had the opportunity of participating, it was clearly shown by the government agency, the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, that orders were issued by that authority to the church to discontinue the building construction, but they went ahead. The founder of the church defied the order and went ahead with the construction,” he said.

Franklyn Isong, a journalist and public affair analyst who has been campaigning for the release of the commission’s report, also accused the state government of having an interest in the matter.

Mr. Isong said the families of the victims have the option of taking the government to court over the matter. He suggested that December 10 be set aside to honour the victims.

The state Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh, was among the lucky survivors of the church collapse.

Mr. Udoh on Sunday took to Facebook to praise God for saving his life. He posted a photo of himself with the deep cut he sustained in the church collapse.

“This time last year, I walked out of the rubbles of a ‘torrential rain of heavy angular iron plates and metal sheets’ alive!” he wrote.

“I am in no way better than those who lost their lives in the tragedy but God spared my life alongside others. We are only pencils in the hands of the creator; we are only actors playing out the script of the Almighty God. Father Lord, may your purpose in our lives be fulfilled!”

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, he gave assurance that the commission’s report would soon be released.

“The report was submitted to the government and then in line with the due process of law the government set up an administrative committee to study the report and make recommendations for the issuance of a white paper,” Mr. Nwoko said on Sunday.

“That has been done and the report of that committee has been submitted to the government, the Gazette would soon be made public,” he said.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/252065-one-year-fatal-church-collapse-akwa-ibom-govt-yet-release-inquiry-report.html

Front Page: lalasticlala

Akwa Ibom is an irresponsible entity. How can people die then a whole year passes with nobody being held accountable. You would think they would be eager to get this case solved considering all the politicians effected but no. What's worse is that the victims haven't sued these idiots for damages.

Importantly, it should be noted that at the commission of inquiry, which I had the opportunity of participating, it was clearly shown by the government agency, the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, that orders were issued by that authority to the church to discontinue the building construction, but they went ahead. 

How is this possible. The church can disobey order then you do nothing about it. If this true and it resulted in collapse. Everyone involved should be in prison.

This is just sad on all levels what a country we live in am even sure the victims weren't even fully compensated and that is heartless
Now the question is before these buildings were approved didn't they go through the right recommendation and specifications?

Why we dey sweep things under carpet every damn time

let them investigate the contractor...am sure he did what Nigerians do... am sure u understand

The value we place on lives in Nigeria is no greater than a chicken. Quite saddening

Religious institutions are simply beyond reproach in this country. Same thing happened with T.B Joshua and till date no show..
Its saddening

Crazy demonstration !

Shows how insensitive our govt is!!!

Lobatan

Touch not my

All is well..

All these ojelu no like we Masses

indoorscholar:
Religious institutions are simply beyond reproach in this country. Same thing happened with T.B Joshua and till date no show..
Its saddening

Sad but true..

they've even forgotten self..

Lawd... One year...

Time flies...

Of course when none of their family members dey there how will there be report

Founder allegedly a friend of the governor while state commissioner for information rambles on about them being pencils in the hand of their god just acting out his script. It's seems the church is using her influence to obstruct justice. Not surprised, Nigerian Christian churches are a bastion of corruption (a.k.a divine favour ).

The sheeple situation in my state Akwa Ibom is much more worse than any other state in the country...mere talking abt the case, people may even lynch u for talking against a "man of god".......The Govnor himself is a deacon in a church where he drops millions of naira for tithes and offering every sunday...so the church/state keep matching on, no matter who dies or died..now thats my state for u

Exciton:
Founder allegedly a friend of the governor while state commissioner for information rambles on about them being pencils in the hand of their god just acting out his script. It's seems the church is using her influence to obstruct justice. Not surprised, Nigerian Christian churches are a bastion of corruption (a.k.a divine favour ).

As it was in the past,
is now in the present and
ever may be if the people remain sheeple.


www.nairaland.com/attachments/4155194_religionquote_jpeg51ef818e81f851e5958395931ebafe6f

fr

Reallly

Blue3k it a sad fact that the governor of akwa ibom state his Excellency deacon Gabriel Udom Emmanuel don't have the interest of the people at heart, he his only playing to scripts.

I tried following this case and to my utmost surprise the commissioner chairing the commitee to investigate and return feedbacks to the governor is a total idiot. Imagine the things he said on air(radio) planet 101.1 fm.

His words "we are still on the matter, we are working tirelessly to bring the offenders to the entire populace" WTF! that was 2-3 months ago.

The APC will use this against him(Governor Emmanuel) come 2019 if he doesn't wake up from his slumber.