By Emmanuel Ndukuba
Awka, 18, 2024 – Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion), Onitsha, Anambra state, has set up a nine-man committee to investigate the cause of the Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS, Onitsha Centenary building collapsed.
It would be recalled that the DMGS, Onitsha Centenary building collapsed on June 12. 2024, at approximately 100am which cause is still unknown.
The committee is headed by Hon. Justice Pete Ohioto, while Bar. Andy Obiamwu is the secretary
Other members are Arc Shed Omwuasoanya, Dr Azuka Onweluzo, Engr Ofodile Anieto, Engr Chukwunonto Igboka, Arc Peter Okpala, Sur Samuel Akabogu and Arc Kingsley Ibekwe.
Rt. Rev Owen Nwakolo, Bishop on the Niger, while addressing journalists on Tuesday at the site of the building collapse within the DMGS premises, said the committee was given nine terms of reference
“We expect your report within one month from June 17, 2024, being the date of the inauguration of the panel.
“You are therefore constituted as a panel of enquiry to investigate and determine the cause of the collapse of the building,” he said.
The terms of reference included to examine the administrative and technical processes followed during the building to ensure that proper procedures were followed.
Others are to study the building plans to ensure that they meet the expected standards, enquire whether approval was sought and obtained from the approving authority for the building to proceed
Also to enquire whether the Architectural design of the building was by a qualified Architect registered with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, amongst others.
Dr Alexander Ibezim, Archbishop, Province of the Niger, Bishop of Awka flanked by five other bishops in the province thanked God the situation did not over escalated as planned by the enemies of the church and the school.
“God has done wonderful, it should have been a tragedy, a lot of lives should have been lost, but because God is with his people, God did not allow the wishes of our enemies to come to pass.
“Anybody seeing this know that God is a living God, even to say that one life was lost shows that this God is miraculous God.
“And shows the children schooling in this school and teachers are innocent.
“We as province are standing with the Diocese on the Niger in this difficult time in whatever we can do. We are already praying,” Ibezim said.
In attendance are Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor of Amichi Diocese, Bishop Obiora Uzochukwu of Mbamiri Diocese, Bishop Prosper Amah of Ogbaru Diocese and Bishop Ndubuisi Obi of Nnewi Diocese, and many priests of the Diocese.
