The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the collapse of the Saint Academy School building in Jos, Plateau State, which happened on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The minister described the incident as “unacceptable” and promised that anyone found responsible will face the full weight of the law. In a statement shared with journalists on Saturday in Abuja, Dangiwa expressed his deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Over 40 students have been rescued from the rubble, with many still hospitalized.
Dangiwa emphasized that building collapses are preventable and highlighted the ministry’s commitment to enforcing building standards and regulations across the country. He stated, “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 assured the public that this investigation would not be like previous ones where no one was held accountable. “Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” he vowed.
The minister also pointed out the strong warnings issued to developers of ongoing projects and the control and monitoring mechanisms set up by the ministry to prevent such incidents in the future.
