The Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday, distributed food items to families of victims and survivors of the Jos school building collapse.

The Saint Academy School building collapsed on July 12, 2024,
killing 22 and injuring 54 others.

The NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, said that the gesture was to mitigate the sufferings of survivors and
families of those who lost loved ones.

Mrs Umar, represented by the NEMA North Central Coordinator, Eugene Nyelong, said that the agency was fully involved in the rescue operation in the incident.

The director-general described the school building collapse as an emotional moment for parents and NEMA.

She said, “We are sending our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to those who got injured and families of those who lost loved ones.

We undertook an assessment based on the search and rescue activities on the fateful day, where evacuations were done to various hospitals. An approval was given, and last week, we undertook direct distribution of medical consumables to various hospitals that helped in taking care of those injured. We are here today to give succour to parents and guardians of those affected in the building collapse. We have 41 households that will benefit from these basic food items.”

The Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, appreciated the Federal Government for the gesture.

Mr Abdu, represented by the Director of Finance and Supply, Samson Dimlong, said that it was heartwarming and gratifying that the
Federal Government, through NEMA, deemed it fit to provide succour to the families of those affected.

He added, “The unfortunate incident, being a natural phenomenon, we have nothing to do to stop it, but with this, the families will appreciate the Federal Government for the gesture.

“SEMA has been a partner to NEMA, working tirelessly in disaster prevention and mitigation in the state. The timely intervention is welcomed, and we hope for more of such support in moments like this.”

The Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association of the school, Macben Onye, thanked the government and stakeholders for the gesture.

Ms Onye said that the stakeholders have been with them since the day the incident occurred.

Mother of the late Christabel Okwubanego, who died during the building collapse, Ifeyinwa Okwubanego, said “life has never been the same without her loving daughter.”

(NAN)