Joe Effiong, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Government has concluded plans to demolish illegal building, including churches built close to the collapsed Reigners Bible Church, along Uyo Village Road, Uyo.
Reigners Bible Church collapsed on December 10, 2016, killing more than 30 people and injuring hundreds of others, including commissioners in Akwa Ibom State government, who had accompanied Governor Udom Emmanuel to the bishopric consecration of the church founder, Pastor Akan Weeks.
Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Chris Ekpo, told Daily Sun, yesterday, that some of the churches had been instructed to provide insurance cover for 500 of their members in case of any such mishap.
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“They said they have approval for the building, and I want to see the approval. That church (name withheld) had already been given demolition notice. When they came begging, I told them that between three to four years, that structure would come down on its own, because the erosion behind the church was very active. By the time we went on inspection, even the first fence they erected had gone down.
“I insisted they must insure 500 worshippers, so that if anything happens, the families would have something to fall back on. They have done that, and I have made sure it is active on a yearly basis.
“There are many illegal structures in Uyo and we have already set a demolition squad. We have already identified structures we need to bring down, so others will also know that before they erect a structure they must get approval.”
