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Nigeria church building collapse: Governor calls for investigation

Nigeria

The governor of Akwa Ibom state, south south of Nigeria Udom Emmanuel has called for an investigation to be launched after the roof of a church in the capital Uyo collapsed, killing at least 160 people.

The governor has also ordered the immediate arrest of the contractors and engineers that constructed the Reigners Bible Church International Inc, Uyo, which collapsed on Saturday.

The governor’s call came on the heels of a similar call by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for a probe of the disaster.

Some survivors of the church building collapse have also given a first-hand account of how the building collapsed on Saturday.

One of the survivors, Eno Etim, on Sunday, said the building collapsed shortly after a lady was called to lead the praise worship.

Etim, who hails from Mbo Local Government Area of the state, said there was no foreboding of the monumental disaster that was waiting to happen.

A witness said the church was still under construction and workers had rushed to complete it for the ordination.

Emmanuel said there would be an investigation to determine whether safety standards had been compromised.

He called on the people to refrain from negative comments that could further worsen the pains of the bereaved families.

Officials promise investigation into church collapse in Nigeria that killed at least 160 parishioners https://t.co/qrDst0tiAX pic.twitter.com/pojzjPvwcy

— ABC Current Affairs (@amworldtodaypm) December 11, 2016

Building collapses are relatively common in Nigeria, mainly due to the use of sub-standard materials and the violation of building regulations.

In 2014, scores of people were killed when a church hostel belonging to a Nigerian TV evangelist, TB Josua collapsed in the city of Lagos.

A two-day mourning period in memory of the departed and for the speedy recovery of the injured has been declared in the state.

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