Akanimo Kufre (Uyo)
The Judicial Commission of inquiry set up by the Akwa Ibom State Government to investigate the causes of the Reigners Bible Church Buiding Collapse in Uyo on 10th December, 2016 has submitted its report.
The Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Rtd. Justice Umoekoyo Essang in company of his members presented the Commission’s report Wednesday evening at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House Uyo.
Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed appreciation to members of the Commission for their service and the painstaking effort in carrying out their responsibilities, saying that they have showed much commitment to the service of the people. Governor Udom also restated his readiness to implement the recommendations as contained in the report of Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the December 10th 2016 Reigners Bible Church Building Collapse.
He said, “I want to thank you for this great job that you have done and to assure you once again that the recommendations of this report would be taken seriously. We would do everything to implement and prevent future occurrence of this tragedy. May this affliction never occur the second time”.
Governor Udom who used the occasion to commiserate with families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy specifically thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Federal Executive Council, Governor’s forum, the state team and Organisations in the International Community for their support during the incidence.
The Governor condemned insinuations by some persons who tried to politicize the tragedy citing the recent clampdown on a criminal gang by the Police in which some well placed persons have painting a wrong picture of the arrest by telling the World that it was targeted at members of a political party maintaining that such act does not contribute to the growth of the state.
According to him, “things of this nature should go beyond politics. When the incidence occurred it did not select members of a Political party, it did not only affect a particular denomination, race or colour. It was a tragedy that affected all. It’s unfortunate that people decided to politicise a tragedy of this nature. Such people do not deserve to express opinion in the public.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry Justice Umoekoyo Essang commiserated with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incidence and thanked God for sparing the life of the Governor in the incidence.
He expressed appreciation to the state government for trusting the commission with the assignment without interference despite insinuations from uninformed members of the public.
He assured that the Committee carried out it assigned task with inputs from a team of Engineers and members of the public.
Justice Essang was accompanied by Mr James Utiaruk, Arc Essien Nkanga, Prophet John Linus, Engr. Asuquo Okon, Engr. James Amiang ACP D. R Abiobo and Secretary of the Commission Barr. Emem Daniel.
Meanwhile, an attempt to reach both Civil Liberty Organisation and Nigerian Medical Association boss Barr. Clifford Thomas and Dr. Aniekeme Uwah for reactions was unsuccessful.
However some family members who lost loved ones in the December 10, 2016 incident are still expecting government’s assistance to compensate for their losses.
