The injured survivors of the collapsed building on Iman Street in Uyo are coping well.
Prof. Augustine Umoh, the commissioner for health in Akwa Ibom, who recently paid a visit to a few of the survivors at the Life Care Hospital in Uyo, corroborated this.
He thanked God for keeping the survivors' health steady and called the situation regrettable and preventable.
Mr. Idorenyin Effiong Udoh, one of the survivors, thanked God for sparing his life and claimed he had been employed for electrical work at the construction site.
He claimed that he and the other victims lost hope of survival when they watched the building start to collapse.
Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed sympathy to the victims' families.
Astatement by Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, reads: “Following the unfortunate incident of the collapse of a four storey building on Iman street off Aka Road in Uyo, our state capital, HE the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has expressed his deepest condolences to the families whose relatives were trapped and eventually died in the collapsed building, while wishing the survivors a quick recovery.”
Ememobong added that the Governor had directed Health Commissioner to immediately take over the management of the survivors.
Emmanuel also directed the “Commissioner for Works and Fire Service to immediately set up a Panel of Inquiry to investigate the unfortunate incident. The panel is to conclude its work within one month, and if it is found that the collapse of the building was as a result of any acts of negligence or wrongdoing, those responsible will face the full wrath of the law.”
He added: “The Governor also expressed his sincere appreciation to all the first responders, rescue and security agencies, Government Officials, voluntary organizations and all citizens who took part (especially the construction companies that donated their equipment) in the rescue operation which lasted many hours.”
Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police CP Olatoye Durosimi, warned members of the public against violating building construction regulations.
Speaking at the Life Care Hospital where he visited victims of the unfortunate incident, CP Durosinmi said buildings should only be constructed after due approvals by relevant agencies. He advised that concerned agencies should always supervise and ensure that builders do not cut corners, thereby avoiding ugly incidents.
An ongoing storey building collapsed last Saturday, along Iman Street, off Aka Road in Uyo.