Delta church collapse kills 1, injures 11

*Okowa, Saraki mourn, commiserate with victims
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Sunday expressed sadness over the death of a worshipper in the unfortunate collapse of St. Paul Catholic Church building, Ugolo, Adagbrasa in Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Okowa, who expressed his sympathy in a statement made available in Asaba on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, described the unfortunate incident as a sad, unfortunate and regrettable experience.

He has also dispatched the state Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, to visit the site with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the church building and how government can come to the aid of the injured worshippers and the church.

Okowa, who prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed faithful and condoled with the family of the deceased and the entire Ugolo community in Okpe Kingdom over the unfortunate incidence, said that “this is indeed a very sad and unfortunate incident.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured.

It is our prayer that the soul of the deceased will rest in peace, and that the injured will experience quick recovery.

“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the people of Ugolo in Okpe Kingdom over this tragedy”.

Meanwhile, the governor has said the state government will undertake the medical treatment of the injured victims and has directed that adequate medical attention be given to the survivors of the unfortunate building collapse.

According to the preliminary report by the works commissioner, one person died from the incident, 11 were rushed to the hospital out of which seven have been treated and discharged while the remaining four were still undergoing treatment, and were in stable conditions.

The commissioner in the report, declared that “the church is a 100 -years -old church building and in an attempt to rebuild and expand the church, the old church building collapsed as a result of the weight of worshippers who leaned against the walls while the early morning mass was on”.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the Delta state government and the Catholic Church in Nigeria over the collapse of the church building.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that he would continue to monitor the situation and help ensure that all survivors receive necessary medical attention.

Saraki said , “My prayers are with the worshipers, affected families, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the people of Delta state on this morning’s collapse of St. Paul Catholic Church in Okpe Local Government Area. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to see that survivors are rescued and treated.

“Right now, we must all come together as Muslims, Christians, people of faith, and most importantly, Nigerians to provide all necessary relief for the affected families and community. This tragedy affects us all and we join the Catholic community to mourn the deceased, even as rescue efforts are still underway.”