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By Madu Obi
Anglican Bishops under the Province of the Niger have paid a sympathy visit to the Diocese on the Niger over weekend's collapse of the five-storey centenary building at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha.
The Bishops, who described the incident as very unfortunate, called on the Anambra State government to play its role and carry the church along, adding that the church needs protection, dignity and respect.
The delegation, led by the Archbishop of the Province and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Alexander Ibezim, converged at the site of the collapsed building where they prayed extensively.
Speaking after the prayers, Archbishop Ibezim explained that the House of Bishops of the province and their parishioners deeply felt the disaster and decided to commiserate with the Diocese on the Niger and thanked God that the tragedy did not go beyond what happened.
He said: “It could have been more devastating because a lot of lives could have been lost. But God is with His people. He did not allow the wishes of our enemies to come to pass.
Anybody who sees this site will know that God is a living God. And even to say that maybe only one life was lost, shows that our God is a miraculous God. It also shows that the children schooling here are innocent children and the teachers are innocent teachers.
We will, in fact, join the Diocese on the Niger to have thanksgiving in all the churches, just to thank God, because God saved the Church from embarrassing tragedy."
In his speech, the host Bishop, Rt Rev Owen Nwokolo, had on behalf of the Diocese, the Old Boys and current students of DMGS, commended the Bishops and the entire province for sympathizing with them in their difficult moment.
He appreciated the Bishops for the solidarity visit and thanked them for the support they extended to the Diocese.
Meanwhile, Bishop Nwokolo has officially announced the setting up of a panel of enquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
The nine -member panel has Hon. Justice Pete Obiora (Justice of the Court of Appeal) as Chairman, while Sir Andy Obianwu will serve as Secretary.
Other members are Arc. Shed Onwuasonya, Dr Azuka Onweluzo, Engr Ofodile Anieto, Arc Peter Okpala, Surveyor Samuel Akabogu, Engr Chukwunonso Igboka, and Arc Kingsley Ibekwe.
The terms of reference for the panel include:
*to examine the administrative and technical processes followed during the building to ensure that proper procedures were followed;
*study the building plans to ensure that they met the expected standards; and
*to enquire whether approval was sought and obtained from the approving authority for the building to proceed.
The panel is also expected to enquire whether the architectural design of the building was done by a qualified architect registered with Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, and to find out whether the structural design of the building was done by a Structural Engineer registered with the COREN.
According to the Bishop, the panel should, as well ascertain whether the building was properly supervised during the actual construction of the project.
The panel has one month to submit its report.
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