By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has inaugurated a panel of enquiry to deeply look into last Saturday’s church building collapse in Uyo, the state capital.
It would be recalled that last weekend, the Governor had a close encounter with death. He was at the Reigners Bible Church for the ordination of the church’s pastor as Bishop when the roof of the church caved in and killed over 25 persons.
Inaugurating the eight-member commission in his office, Mr Emmanuel charged the members to investigate the circumstances and role played by persons or institutions that led to the unfortunate incident and also recommend appropriate sanctions and or actions against all persons found culpable in the tragedy.
The Governor explained that he needed answers to these posers in order to guard against future occurrences.
He further tasked the panel to “indict persons, organisations, groups or otherwise found culpable in the course of its inquiry and make appropriate recommendations to government, noting that they have three weeks to finish the assignment.
The commission has Justice Umoekeyo Essang (rtd) as Chairman, while Mrs Emem Victor Daniel of the Ministry of Justice is the Secretary.
Mr James, Utiaruk, Mr Essien Nkanga, ACP Damian Abibo, Prophet John Linus, Mr Asuquo Okon and Mr James Amiang are members of the panel.