Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
Commission of Inquiry Begins Sitting, Wants Evidence
…. Gov. Udom allays fear of any interference
The Commission of Inquiry on the Collapsed Reigners Church Building has called on reputable organizations including Engineers, Architects, Builders, Surveyors, Social Scientists and the entire people of the State to offer the Commission useful information as it relates with the collapsed building.
The Commission says the evidence which may be in form of memorandum, oral evidence with or without memorandums should be submitted at the Ministry of Justice or the venue where the commission sits for hearing.
In his address at the inaugural sitting of the Commission Wednesday in Uyo, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Umoekoyo Essang (Rtd) noted that the Commission shall rely on useful information offered it even as they shall sit in open to ensure transparency.
“The commission shall rely on the evidence – oral or documentary made available to the commission by associations and individuals who have credible and useful evidence to proffer”. The commission chairman stressed.
While describing members of the Commission as eminent and trusted professionals in their chosen fields of endeavour, he pointed out that they will endeavour to stick to their terms of reference and come out with recommendations to the State Governor with a view to taking steps to ensure the avoidance of such tragedy in the future.
In his remarks the state governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel expressed confidence in the calibre of persons carefully selected into the seven man committee of Inquiry constituted by his administration to look into the remote cause of the incidence of collapse building belonging to Reigners Bible Church that claimed dozens of lives with several injured earlier this month.
Gov. Udom who was represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko commended members of the committee for accepting the onerous task of unravelling the immediate and remote cause of the collapse of REIGNERS CHURCH BUILDING, urged them do everything within their powers to ensure that the cause of the Collapsed Building are brought to the knowledge of the general public without any fear or favour.
The governor maintained that the committee has been mandated to carry out it independent assessment of the incidence devoid of any external influence adding that his administration will ensure that every findings unravelled by the committee will be implemented to the letter and those found guilty brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others and forestalled future occurrence.
The state Chief Executive charged the Commission to be meticulous and firm while doing their work so as to help them unravel all facts needed.
He added “There are so many safety issues in Akwa Ibom State that we have always been glossing over. The outcome of this Commission we believe will help check that. We want members of the public to be very open. We don’t have to abandon this Commission then later go and live in speculation.”
He also offered insight to the fact that the Commission has been given free hands to operate so that they can come out with report that will be useful.
Present at the sitting were the seven member committee led by the chairman Hon. Justice Umoekoyo Essang (Rtd), the Secretary Barr. (Mrs) Emem Daniel, the state Chief Judge, JusticeStephen Okon, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Elder Patrick Albert, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, Chairmen of Nigerian Bar Association across the state among many others.
Tuesday 3rd January 2017 has been fixed for hearing.
