A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, said that to this end, all flags will fly at half-mast within the state.
The 2-day mourning period will be rounded off with a Solemn Assembly at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo on Monday December 12, 2016 by 4.pm prompt.
The Government urged all citizens and friends of the state to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the tragic incident.
TEXT OF A BROADCAST BY GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL COMMISERATING BEREAVED FAMILIES ON THE TRAGIC INCIDENT AT REIGNERS BIBLE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL, UYO ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2016
Fellow Akwa Ibomites, Today we had an unfortunate incident when the roof of Reigners Bible Church Int’l, Uyo collapsed while service was going on.
I was present at the church during the incident and shared in the agony of the moment.
Thereafter, I personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to the hospital. I directed all emergency organizations, agencies of government and corporate organizations especially the construction companies to be involved in the exercise. They acted promptly and I commend their sense of patriotism and gallantry.
The State Government will bear the medical cost of all those injured. We note that we have never had such a shocking incident in the history of our dear state. Government will, therefore, set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes leading to the collapse of the building with a view to forestalling the recurrence of such incident and bring to book persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building.
We appeal to all citizens to remain calm, pray for the injured and avoid undue speculation as the situation is being given the best possible attention.
On behalf of the Government of Akwa Ibom State, I commiserate with the families of all the victims of the collapsed building. We urge the Christian community to show their support, love and understanding in prayers for the families of the victims and the state.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.
