• FG dispatches medical experts, society of engineers visits site

From Joe Effiong, Uyo

Cross River State Police Command yesterday said the death toll in the Reigners Bible Church collapsed last Saturday is now 29.
Police Public Relations Officer, Codelia Nwawe, told Daily Sun that as at midday yesterday, two more people had died, while the Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, said investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Uyo branch, has directed the Prevention, Investigation and Failure Analysis Committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the  incident.
The committee, led by a Professor of Structural Engineering, Prof. Charles Uko, visited the site and expressed displeasure at the poor construction work in the church and lack of professional supervision of the building.
Publicity Secretary of the branch, Mr. Ukeme Okpop who confirmed this to newsmen, said Engineering Regulatory and Monitoring (ERM) team of COREN had commenced independent investigation into the subject matter.
Also, the Federal Government has sent a 10-member team of neurosurgeon experts to Akwa Ibom State to compliment efforts of medical personnel already on ground.
The team arrived the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Monday.
Speaking with newsmen on arrival at UUTH, the leader of the team and a consultant orthopaedic surgeon from the University of Lagos, Prof. Suleiman Giwa, said the team was put together on the instruction of the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole to render helping hands.
The special team of experts, he said, consists of two neurosurgeon, three orthopaedic surgeons, three plastic surgeon and two specially trained operating room nurses.
He explained that they were in the state to offer necessary assistance and support needed for the victims of the collapsed church building.
“This incident, as you are aware, did not affect only the people of Akwa Ibom but all Nigerians and the health minister, in his wisdom, decided that we should raise a team of experts to come to Uyo and render a helping hands and bring succour to the weak, the sick and those who in dire need of complicated surgery,” he said.
Prof. Giwa said the team will visit hospitals where the victims of the tragedy were admitted, examine them and offer useful medical suggestions where necessary to ensure that those who are sick get back to their normal life.
“As we are here in Akwa Ibom, we did not come empty handed; we came with drugs and other medical supports to make our coming easier, and we are prepared for the task ahead.
“We have visited the University Teaching Hospital and we are now at the Ibom Specialist Hospital, so far, most of the patients we saw are responding to treatment which is gladdening,” he said.
The UUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Etete Peters thanked the Federal Government delegation for coming to Akwa Ibom at the most appropriate time and not leaving the state alone in time of sorrow.
However, the leadership of the church, has denied an allegation that its General Overseer, Pastor Akan Weeks proceeded with his bishopric enthronement.
It was rumoured that Weeks, immediately after the collapse of the new church auditorium, hurriedly constructed for his enthronement, rushed to another church in Abak Local Government Area to be enthroned bishop.
But a statement from the church yesterday and signed by an area pastor, Anietie Daniel, said there was no further exercise on the bishopric enthronement after the collapse.
“Following the mishap, the apostle was not consecrated at any location as widely reported. The bishopric enthronement was never held at the church or anywhere else.
The statement reads: “On behalf of the entire family of Reigners Bible Church International, we share in the agony, pain and anguish of the injured, traumatised and deceased worshippers and guests as a result of the unfortunate collapse of the roof structure during the aborted Bishopric Enthronement Service of our General Overseer; Apostle Akan Weeks on Saturday, December 10 at about 1130hours.
“We bless God for the demonstration of leadership and love by our governor, government officials, medical practitioners and law enforcement officers. Also various individuals who have donated blood and relief materials, the churches and brethren who are praying for and with us at this period of tribulation.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the afflicted even as we pray for the repose of lost souls.”