Emmanuel and his deputy escaped death after the building collapsed, during the ordination service of Bishop Akan Weeks.
In a press statement signed by his personal assistant, Mr. Ekerette
Udoh, the Governor said he was trapped in the building when it came
crashing.
About 50 people are reported to have lost their lives.
He also commiserated with the families of the victims and ordered an immediate investigation into the tragedy.
“The Government of Akwa Ibom State has commiserated with the
families of the victims of the collapsed building at Reigners Bible
Church International along Uyo Village road.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel
was present at the church service during the incident and thereafter
personally supervised rescue operations and evacuation of the injured to
the hospital. The State Government will undertake the medical treatment
of the victims.
“A high-powered panel of enquiry is being constituted to ascertain
the immediate and remote factors leading to the collapse of the church
building with a view to forestall the re-occurrence of such incident and
bring to book persons found to have compromised professional standards
in the construction of the building”, the statement read.
