TheNewsGuru

Tag: Engineers

  • MTN reveals cause of network outage experienced by Subscribers 

    MTN reveals cause of network outage experienced by Subscribers 

    Telecommunications company MTN Nigeria has explained that the network outage experienced by its subscribers for the major part of Wednesday was caused by “multiple fibre cuts”.

    Many subscribers were stranded with some persons visiting MTN offices nearest to them to get explanations.

    However, MTN, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), attributed the situation to “multiple fibre cuts”.

    “You have been experiencing challenges connecting to the network due to a major service outage caused by multiple fibre cuts affecting voice and data services,” the post read.

    “Our engineers are working hard to resolve with services gradually being restored in some areas.

    “We apologise for the inconvenience and ask for your patience and understanding as the team works to restore full service as soon as possible.”

     

  • NSE advocates implementation of GL 09 entry point for engineers in government service

    NSE advocates implementation of GL 09 entry point for engineers in government service

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has advocated the implementation of Grade Level 09 as entry point for engineers in government services at states that have not effected the policy.

    The first female President of the NSE, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, made the call during her investiture as the 34th president of the engineering professional body in Abuja.

    She also called for a policy formulation that would compel employers of labour to pay commensurate welfare packages/hazard allowances to engineers.

    Oguntala said the advocacy would be key among her focus in the next two years as the president of NSE.

    According to her, setting clear focus areas is paramount to guiding the collective efforts to accomplish her vision.

    Oguntala unveiled a strategic agenda which she said would underpin her mission, a roadmap that she named the “Margaret Oguntala Presidential Agenda, or MOPSA.

    “MOPSA is not just collection of words; it is a manifestation of our overarching vision which is ‘Rebirth the NSE for the growth, empowerment and advancement of engineering in Nigeria.

    “It is a meticulously crafted blueprint that encompasses five key themes, each designed to address crucial aspects of our mission.”

    She said the MOPSA document consisted of one strategic agenda, five strategic themes (pillars) and 34 strategic actions.

    “The first pillar is membership development; we shall focus on upskilling our esteemed members, offering mandatory professional development to keep at the forefront of knowledge.

    “”NSE shall actively engage intergovernmental bodies, industries and academia to foster partnerships that drive progress, innovation and knowledge exchange.

    “We shall collaborate with leading international engineering organisations and foreign missions to gain access to resources and opportunities for our members.”

    The president of the NSE said advancement of innovation through the establishment of new technology -driven engineering innovation hubs would also be a key priority during her tenure among others.

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by his deputy, Sen. Barau Jubril, said Oguntala had shattered the glass ceiling.

    “We celebrate the progress our society has made in promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the field of engineering.
    “Engr. Oguntala’s appointment serves as a powerful testament to the fact that talent, dedication and expertise know no gender boundaries.

    “It is a clear indication that the Nigerian Society of Engineers recognises and values the contributions of women in shaping the future of engineering; 33 men have come before her, serving as presidents of this great body.

    “However, the time has come for the NSE to enter the labour room and give birth to a new version of itself. And it is only fitting that a mother, who knows the pains of giving birth, should be in charge of this rebirth.

    “As we embark on this new chapter under the leadership of Engr. Oguntala, it is crucial that we reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

    “However, it is through collective efforts and a shared vision that we can overcome these challenges and pave the way for a brighter future.”

    Akpabio said enhancement of engineering education and training was key to the rebirth and needed an immediate attention.

    “We must strive to equip our engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete on a global scale. This can be achieved through partnerships with educational institutions, Industrial leaders and professional organizations.
    “By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, we can ensure that our engineers are armed with the latest tools and techniques to tackle complex engineering problems.

    “As engineers, it is our responsibility to design and implement sustainable solutions that will drive economic growth, improve the quality of life for our citizens, and create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
    “Our engineers are breaking new ground and leading the way in technological innovation.

    “The NSE should reach out to Nigerian engineers in the Diaspora and urge them to respond to the call in our National Anthem.
    “Let them come home and share their skills with us and contribute their unique perspectives and experiences.”
    He said under the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Tinubu and the tenth assembly were committed to support the NSE in giving Nigeria a prominent place in the engineering community.
    The immediate past president of NSE, Mr Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, said Oguntala was instrumental to most of the successes during his tenure.
    Gidari-Wudil pledged his unconditional support for the first female president and urged all engineers to give her maximum support.

    The highlight of the occasion was the taking of the oath of office by Oguntala, which was coordinated by Gidari-Wudil.
    The governors of Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states, some traditional rulers and other international dignitaries, including the president of the World Federation of Engineers attended the event.

     

  • FG tasks engineers on halting incessant building collapse

    FG tasks engineers on halting incessant building collapse

    The Federal Government has urged the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to check incessant building collapses in Nigeria.

    Speaking when members of COREN bisited, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Mahmuda Mamman, charged the council to strategise and ensure proper checks and mandatory monitoring on construction activities.

    Mamman said this would ensure that Nigerians would be living in well built solid buildi without any fear of building collapse.

    ”COREN being a federal government regulatory body is vested with the mandate and powers to check and control building standards in Nigeria to ensure that cases of building collapse is stopped.

    ”There seems to be a disconnect somewhere between Nigerian Engineers and COREN. COREN, must as a matter of urgency proffer an urgent solution to this situation,” he said.

    He also urged all regulators in the engineering body to come together and seek audience with the Ministry of Finance especially as regards the recent federal government policy directive of self-funding for all such bodies .

    He told the delegation to consider of levies as a way of generating revenues to assist the council.

    He urged the council to come up with implementable plans and guide lines by going back to the drawing board for them to be able to reposition COREN for better performance and impactful services to Nigerians.

    Earlier, the Registrar of COREN , Prof Adisa Bello, said the council was ministry to brief the permanent secretary on the activities of the council.

    The registrar said COREN is a statutory regulatory organ of the Federal Government of Nigeria , established by Decree No. 55 of 1970 amended by Degree No. 27 of 1992 , now Engineers ( Registration ).

    The registrar said the promulgation of Decree 27 of 1992 , COREN was merely a registration body of engineers and it was then known as Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria .

    “However with the expansion of its functions in 1992 , which now includes regulation and vontrol of the engineering family , COREN’s name was changed to what it is now, but still retaining the acronym , COREN .

    “Our mandate include regulate and control engineering practice in Nigeria with all its aspects and ramifications, among othersm” he said.

    The Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG, has said 62 buildings collapsed, either fully or partially in 2022 alone.

    The immediate past President of BCPG, Eddy Atumonyogo, who disclosed in his speech at the Guild’s Annual General Meeting, AGM held virtually, on Dec. 27, 2022, in the 48-year period between October 1974 to November 2022, Nigeria recorded 541 incidents of building collapse.

    The guild said that Lagos State is at the top of the table with 322 incidents, followed by Anambra -20; Oyo -19; Abuja -18; Kano-17; Ogun -12; Delta -12; Ondo -11; Abia -11; Rivers -10; Enugu -9; Kwara -7; Imo -7; Plateau -7; Kaduna -6; Edo -6; Osun -6; Ebonyi -5; Jigawa -5; Cross River -4; Benue -3; Adamawa -3; Niger -3; Ekiti -2; Akwa-Ibom -2; Nasarawa -2; Zamfara -1; Kebbi -1; Sokoto -1; Bauchi -1; Kogi -2; Katsina -1; Borno -1; Taraba -1; Yobe -1; Bayelsa -1 and Gombe -1. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PUO/SH

     

  • NSE gives FG 18 days ultimatum over abduction, killings of members

    NSE gives FG 18 days ultimatum over abduction, killings of members

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has given the Federal Government 18 days ultimatum to fish out and prosecute  killers and abductors of its members across the country.

    The President of NSE, Mr. Tasiu  Gidari-Wudil, gave the ultimatum at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja on the killings and abduction of its members.

    He said over the years, the society has been inundated with reports of abduction and vicious killings of its members across  the country, especially in the South-East.

    Gidari-Wudil said the most recent of such cases was the report of the killing of  Mr Donatus  Udeh, who  was abducted on  April 22.

    “Three days later, his mutilated, lifeless body and vehicle were found at different locations within 9th mile corner, Ngwo, Enugu State on April 25.

    “The late Engr. Udeh was, until his demise, the Vice Chairman of the Enugu Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

    “In a similar way, five Engineers from NELAN Engineering Consulting Limited were abducted on their way to inspect a project site in Ebonyi on Nov. 3, 2021.

    He said the victims, Nelson Onyemeh,   Earnest Edeani,  Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke and Engr. Stanley Nwazulum  were  to be on a supervisory visit to the $150 million Abakaliki Ring Road project.

    The president said that that until this moment, the Police have not unraveled the mystery behind the disappearance of the hardworking professionals.

    He  said presently, the life of one of the Executive Committee members of NSE was under threat just because she was supervising a project in Ebonyi.

    The president said  it was a shame to continually witness these cruel killings without any respite from the government.

    He said  that the primary purpose of government was the security and welfare of the people, as provided in section 14(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    Gidari-Wudil said  that when all the professionals are killed, who would construct the roads, build bridges and waterways.

    “The engineer saves lives and improves the quality of living by her innovative ideas and inventions.

    “The slain engineers were exactly on such patriotic nation-building and economy- stimulating course when they were cut down.

    “It is an irony that such breed of humans would be targeted for such brutality without a convincing action by the government to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “Going forward , I hereby make an appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to wade into the matter,’’he said.

    He urged the president should specifically direct the Inspector- General of Police to carry out special investigation into  the abduction and killing of Udeh, in Enugu.

    The society also called for the   re-opening of the case of the five engineers of NELAN Engineering Consulting Limited which happened in Ebonyi State in 2021.

    He said that if no action was taken as demanded, as  President and Chairman-in-Council of the NSE, he will  initiate an industrial action to press home their demands.

  • Gruesome Killing of Abducted NELAN Engineers in Ebonyi – By Carl Umegboro

    Gruesome Killing of Abducted NELAN Engineers in Ebonyi – By Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    Definitely, there’s no means to discuss the gruesome killing of the five NELAN engineers deployed as consultants to the AfDB road project in Ebonyi state without tears. The coldhearted murder of these professionals who were abducted on 3rd November, 2021 namely; Engr. Nelson Onyemeh (lead consultant) from Ihiala in Anambra State; Engr. Ernest Edeani from Nkanu in Enugu State; Ikechukwu Ejiofor from Umunya in Oyi LGA of Anambra State; Engr. Samuel Aneke from Nkanu in Enugu-East LGA of Enugu State and Engr. Stanley Nwazulum from Amawbia in Awka-South LGA of Anambra State is the height of inhumanity to man in recent times. May their souls rest in peace.

    From a report by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba during his meeting with the bereaved families at Police Headquarters in Abakaliki recently, apart from the agonizing news of recovering the remains of the five NELAN engineers from inside one shallow grave in the bush where they were dumped, one of them was beheaded. Recall that a source had earlier alleged that the consultants were burnt. Possibly, to cover it up alongside the headless body, the felons buried them immediately. Bodies of two policemen that were also killed on their way to the scene and shallowly buried beside the consultants’ grave were also discovered and exhumed. One can only but imagine the pains these victims went through in the hands of their heartless killers.

    While I commend the security operatives for recovering their bodies at last, regrettably, the Police didn’t do well before this development. It took the Police roughly four months to trace the place these citizens were gruesomely murdered and covered up whereas the state governor, David Umahi impliedly knew when, where and how they were killed and buried, as he updated his cabinet some days after their abduction, precisely on 30th November, 2021. According to reports, the Umahi led-government played cat-and-mouse games with the consulting firm prior to the abduction.

    The questions curiously begging for answers are; how did the governor ‘convincedly’ know these facts even ahead of the Police in the field despite the fact the incidents apart from the abduction, didn’t take place in an open space, but covertly in a remote area? Is there more to this? Many questions running through the mind. With conviction, Umahi announced their miseries not long after the abduction. The Police just ascertained the announcement recently, and also discovered that one of them is headless. The ‘beheading’ part jogs my memory of the Bible episode where John the Baptist was killed on King Herod’s command, beheaded and his head placed on a platter for Herodias as a proof. Sensibly, as the Police has established the announcement, the searchlight should spread to all tentacles.

    For now, the Police defence on the delayed intervention is that the criminals slew two policemen on their way to the place. My empathy notwithstanding, this is absurd, embarrassing to the agency, and shameful to the ears. Another squelchy defence by the Police is that the engineers took a wrong route on that fateful day by going through the Ezza route. Unknown to them, from records, the engineers had traversed the ring roads for fourteen months prior to the abduction and had a total of about 112 visits to the area without any squabbles with the community.

    Further enquiry reveals that the consultants were warmly welcomed to the communities. A worksheet also shows that the consultants with no challenge concluded enumeration of trees along the roads on the 28th October, 2021 after two weeks of harmoniously sharing a space with the community. Thus, the Police must do a holistic investigation to present accounts that will not hurt listeners’ eardrums.

    As their remains have been recovered, deposited at the morgue for autopsy accordingly, investigation must gather momentum to unveil the masterminds of the heinous crimes. Logically, if there’s no record that the consultants reported any faceoff against the host communities at any Police station, then the seeming blackmails against the communities cannot fly in the face of logic and reality. The communities cannot suddenly conspire, abduct and kill strangers working in their space without any dispute. Ditto on the so-called Ezza warriors. If it was for ritual, all the heads would be missing. The cruelty observed at the burial scene as discovered by the Police strongly suggests malice and intimidation. The missing Toyota Hilux is also a bold statement of conspiracy.

    From observation, there are records of intra-communities disputes at times but without any pointer to assaults on strangers. So also, there are many non-indigenes moving freely and residing in Ebonyi state, how much more consultants on a short visit working on their roads. Rationally, it wasn’t a case of abduction for ransom but elimination to settle scores. It suggests an attack on the firm. Ideally, investigation should be extended to the corners that allegedly had a history of acrimonious encounters against the firm over their consultancy services. For example, a source had earlier said;

    “Specifically, those close to the murdered civil engineer who spoke to the television’s reporter, insisted that the relationship between Governor Umahi and NELAN had remained very frosty to a point that some of the vehicles assigned to them for the execution of the project were allegedly withdrawn, leaving them with only one Toyota Hilux for their routine operations”. Furthermore, in Daily Sun of 21 December 2021, a colleague in the firm also narrated;

    “We are saying that it was a planned thing; it wasn’t a spontaneous issue because they have been going to that community. One thing we understand is that that community doesn’t hurt foreigners.… There is a foul play, but we can’t place our finger on it …. In fact, the Toyota Hilux with registration number, ERR-001-EB they traveled in also disappeared with them till this moment”. These revelations have enormous weight if justice must prevail.

    What next? The Nigerian Police must go beyond the assassins to fetch the monsters behind the heinous crimes. The post-mortem to also determine their identities including the beheaded victim shouldn’t take another long wait. The blood of these breadwinners in their families is calling for justice, and it is the duty of the Police to play neutral and do a perfect job. To sum up, the hasty conclusions in defence in a sensitive matter as this is not the way to go. Let justice prevail. The tragedies should not be swept under the carpet, and the seeming delay tactic is unacceptable.

    Umegboro, ACIArb is a public affairs analyst and social advocate

  • How we spent our Christmas, New Year in pain, grief – Wives of missing engineers

    How we spent our Christmas, New Year in pain, grief – Wives of missing engineers

    Wives of the five engineers declared missing in Effium Community of Ebonyi State said they marked the Christmas and New Year in grief and pain over the fate of their husbands, who went missing about two months ago.

    An Enugu-based engineering firm, Nelan Consultants, had on Nov. 3, 2021, deployed the five engineers on a supervision of the ongoing Abakaliki Ring Road project at Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

    The project is funded by the African Development Bank.

    It was learnt that the engineers were allegedly abducted from the site by unknown armed men, who also took away their project vehicle.

    That was the last their families, friends, colleagues and relatives heard from them in the community, which has been enmeshed in protracted communal crisis with its neighbouring Ezza Community.

    The missing engineers include Messrs Nelson Onyemeh, a Director and partner to Nelan Consultants, Stanley Nwazulum, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor and Samuel Aneke.

    Onyemeh’s wife, Patricia, 58, told NAN in Enugu on Friday that she and the wives of the other four engineers, along with their children, spent the Yuletide praying and hoping that their husbands and breadwinners would return alive.

    According to her, this is the worst Christmas I ever spent without my dear husband.

    “We were indoors grieving and praying that my husband will come back alive.

    “Nobody is telling us anything. We have petitioned the unbearable for them, adding that their children kept asking for their father’s whereabouts since he left the house in November 2021.

    The families of Nwazulum, Ejiofor and Aneke said they were still traumatized by the incident and that all their efforts to find the missing engineers had not yielded any positive result.

    They appealed to the Ebonyi Government, the Nigerian Police and other concerned individuals and groups to assist them in finding their husbands.

    Meanwhile, the Ebonyi government had in its reaction on Dec. 20, 2021 exonerated itself from any involvement in the incident.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr Uchenna Orji, had said at a news conference in Abakaliki that the government had no hand in the disappearance of the engineers.

    Orji said, “It has become imperative to put the records straight on the allegations and misrepresentation of facts conveyed to the public from certain quarters over the unfortunate incident that befell Engr. Nelson Onyemeh and other four engineers.

    “Based on the report of police investigation on the incident, we view as disheartening, the unfortunate circumstances that led to the sad news.

    “We, therefore, extend our heartfelt condolences to all the families and the Nelan Company for this dastardly act by criminal elements, while hoping for a comprehensive crackdown on the perpetrators.”

  • Mass sack: Pilots, engineers threaten to withdraw services across all airlines

    Mass sack: Pilots, engineers threaten to withdraw services across all airlines

    The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), has issued a two-week ultimatum to airlines, who have sacked or plan to sack their pilots and engineers under the guise of COVID-19, to reverse the decision.

    Its President, Mr Abednego Galadinma, at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos, said pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers had resolved to withdraw their services to all airlines, if colleagues were sacked.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there had been a spate of terminations of contract of pilots and engineers across various airlines, all linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    About 170 pilots have been sacked from Bristow Helicopters and Air Peace airlines, so far.

    Galadinma criticised Bristow helicopters for sacking 100 pilots and engineers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the company was not saying the truth, since it operated throughout the lockdown period, servicing the oil and gas sector as essential service provider.

    He urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) to, as a matter of urgency, prevail on the airlines to stop the unilateral dismissal of pilots and engineers.

    “We demand that Bristow and Air Peace should immediately recall all sacked pilots and aircraft engineers until all labour issues are resolved or be grounded by NCAA because of attendant safety concerns created by their action.

    “As a result of the known consequences of these illegal actions and our commitment to patriotic fervour, we shall be forced to withdraw our guarantee of industrial peace within the industry if this call is not heeded within two weeks.

    ”Our union will be left with no other option but to withdraw the services of pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers across all the airlines,” he said.

    Responding to questions, the NAAPE president rejected the Bristow statement which indicated that the sack of 100 pilots and engineers would affect both Nigerians and expatriates, stating that it was just a ploy to get rid of Nigerians.

    Galadinma said: “To say the 100 pilots and engineers are not only our members is unsubstantiated and we do not know this because the management did not engage us.

    “Operators, especially Bristow Helicopters, have rendered our members redundant despite assurances by government of support for their businesses in return for operators not laying off staff.

    “These operators are already running on lean manpower with disproportionate number being expatriates, yet, without regards to our expatriates and local content laws and executive order 5, they have gone ahead to lay off staff under the guise of COVID-19 pandemic.

    “They cannot be using COVID-19 as an excuse because the cessation of flight operations did not affect essential services like oil and gas supply. Besides, Bristow and Caverton were operating during the lockdown.

    “In fact, you would recall that our members were held by the Rivers State Government during the lockdown, so how can they be using COVID-19 as an excuse?

    “It is on record that Bristow Helicopters operated throughout the lockdown, supporting oil and gas operations with government’s approval and guarantees service contracts in the same national interest, but they are now using COVID-19 to force redundancy on our members,” he fumed.

  • Pilots, engineers threaten to shut down aviation sector over mass sack

    Pilots, engineers threaten to shut down aviation sector over mass sack

    The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), on Wednesday, threatened to shut down the aviation sector following the sack of dozens of its members.

    It issued a two-week ultimatum to airlines, who have sacked or plan to sack their pilots and engineers, to rescind the decision, warning that they could no longer guarantee safety.

    TheNewsGur (TNG) had earlier reported that Air Peace, Nigeria’s biggest carrier, and Bristow Helicopters – operating in the oil and gas sector – had sacked over 100 pilots and engineers citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The pilots and engineers in the two organisations had earlier rejected pay cut, prompting the managements to take a drastic decision to sack them.

    Addressing a press conference in Lagos, President of NAAPE, Comrade Abednego Galadima, declared that the body had resolved to withdraw services of pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers across all airlines.

    He called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to, as a matter of urgency, prevail on these airlines to stop what he called “the unilateral sacking of pilots and engineers.”

    The association demanded that Bristow and Air Peace should immediately recall all sacked pilots and aircraft engineers until all labour issues were resolved.

    Failure to do that, it asked the NCAA to ground the airline because of attendant safety concerns created by their action. Galadima said: “As a result of the known consequences of these illegal actions…, we shall be forced to withdraw our guarantee of industrial peace within the industry if this call is not heeded within two weeks.

    “Our union will be left with no other option but to withdraw the services of pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers across all the airlines.”

  • NNPC directs engineers to investigate cause of Ijegun pipeline explosion

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has directed its team of engineers to immediately investigate and commence repairs of Thursday’s pipeline explosion allegedly caused by vandals at Ijegun, a Lagos suburb.
    Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of NNPC said in Abuja that the explosion was caused by vandals and the Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, has directed the corporation’s team of engineers to resume at the fire scene and redress the situation.
    According to Ughamadu, “The fire was ignited when some vandals were scooping fuel from the pipeline.
    “We urge everybody within the community to remain calm as the situation is under control. Our team of engineers has resumed at the site to bring the situation under control.
    Similarly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that the pipeline incident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Ijegun, in Lagos was caused by vandals.
    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, South-West Coordinator revealed that NEMA alerted the management of the NNPC on the early morning incident and fire outbreak.
    Farinloye said that NEMA also called on the Safety Unit of the NNPC to immediately shut down further supplies through the pipeline, in order to suffocate the fire.
    “It is noted that vandals are responsible for the incident and some of them were burnt to death in the inferno.
    “Security agencies have also cordoned off the area and residents of Ijegun have been urged to remain calm.
    “Pipeline fire is a specialised aspect of fire management and not all firemen can handle it.
    “The NNPC safety firemen are specially trained to handle such delicate incidents and that is why NEMA immediately mobilised the NNPC to mobilise to the scene.
    “It will, however, take time before the inferno can be effectively tackled and supply to the pipeline is weakened and disabled,’’ he said.
    Farinloye said: “In as much as the lives and property of the people are not threatened, the fire will be put off as soon as the safety of the fire officers is also assured’’.
    However, it was gathered that two people have been confirmed dead and about 30 vehicles burnt in the incident.

  • Uyo church collapse: Gov Udom orders arrest of contractors, engineers

    Uyo church collapse: Gov Udom orders arrest of contractors, engineers

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has ordered the immediate arrest of the contractors and engineers, that constructed the Reigners Bible Church, which collapsed in Uyo on Saturday.

    The Governor and his Deputy who were also billed to attend Saturday’s ordination service of Bishop Akan Weeks, however missed death by the whiskers as the building came down unexpectedly while the ordination service was ongoing.

    Aniekeme Finbarr, one of the Udom’s personal assistant on media told CNN’s Becky Anderson, that his principal gave the order on Sunday.

    “They should be made to answer certain questions so that the state would be able to get to the root cause of the matter,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has also called for a probe into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

    In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, he commiserated with the people of Akwa Ibom.

    Saraki also called for “urgent and thorough investigation to determine both the remote and immediate causes of the building collapse.

    “I believe that such an investigation, if sincerely done, will help us to guard against unnecessary waste of lives, injuries and damage to property in the future. My heart goes out to all the victims, the Christian community in Akwa Ibom State and the entire people of the state.”