FG investigative panel reveals cause of Plateau school building collapse

The Federal Government-appointed investigative panel on the collapsed two-story school building in Jos, Plateau State, released a preliminary report on the tragic incident.

The two-story structure housing Saint Academy, located in the Busa Buji neighbourhood in the Jos North Local Government Area of the state, collapsed on Friday at about 8:30 a.m., killing 22 people and leaving about 154 trapped people who were taken to hospitals.

Speaking to journalists in Jos on Tuesday, the Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Prof Samson Duna, said the report of the panel, headed by Prof O.F. Job of the Building Department at the University of Jos, revealed that the physical observation of the building looked distressed while weak materials were used for the building.

He also stated that the report raised concerns about the quality of the concrete used to construct the two-story building because there was no clear boundary between the concrete and the steel reinforcements.

The report also stated that the slab reinforcement anchorage provided for the structure was inadequate.

“The committee has commenced its investigation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the physical observation of the building looks distressed.

“The quality of concrete is in doubt because there was no boundary between the concrete and the steel reinforcement. The slab reinforcement anchorage provided was inadequate. The sizes of the footing (foundation) provided were lesser than the required number (1200 mm X 1200mm)

“A comprehensive report on the investigation will be presented after the investigation,” he said.

Prof Duna urged the government and other professional bodies in the construction sector to require integrity tests on any distressed buildings, particularly those near the collapsed site.

He claimed that the country’s buildings continued to collapse due to a lack of frequent inspections and consequences for noncompliance.

He said from the available records on building collapse incidents across the country, no one had been sanctioned for negligence.

The Director General of NBRRI proposed collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, professionals, and the public, to share knowledge and global best practices.

On Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabi encouraged the Plateau State administration to strengthen town planning laws to prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate tragedy.

Akpabio, during a courtesy call on him by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who was accompanied by some traditional rulers, commiserated with the delegation and called for stricter enforcement on town planning.

“We want to condole you on the building collapse. Such a horrific sight and the structure was not even built during your tenure. What it means is that you have to take steps to reinforce the town planning laws and take a lot of interest in the building industry.

“No sentiments attached. No matter whose ox is gored, if somebody does not follow the rules, if somebody erects a building on a passage for stream water, once the foundation is questioned, such building should be brought down.”

“We know what has happened in the past. It is as if the high and mighty in society should construct a building, nobody would want to touch the building out of respect for them.

“We will continue to mourn the demise of those children. The entire country is very sad. So, on behalf of the 10th Senate, please accept our condolences. We are with you in this period of mourning,” he said.

Mutfwang stated that he and his entourage were at the National Assembly to attend the public hearing on the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2024.

The bill is expected to transform the Mining and Geoscience Institute into a full-fledged university, and the governor expressed hope that his state will host the institution.