Church collapse: Survivors lament neglect, one year after

MAKURDI — One year after the church collapse that claimed 23 lives in Adamgbe, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, survivors and victims of the tragedy have continued to live in pains and anguish of that unfortunate disaster in view of the unfulfilled promises of succour by governments and public spirited individuals. Vanguard investigations revealed that the new church building, which the state and Federal Governments promised to provide the community in place of the collapsed structure had been abandoned at its foundation level.
Work on the only road leading to the church had also been abandoned same as the borehole project which was done half way and left uncompleted.
Some survivors of the tragedy and relatives of some of the victims of the disaster, who craved anonymity, lamented that they were yet to feel the impact of the pledges made by individuals and organisations to them, the church and the community.
“We are pained because when the incident happened, the Federal Government undertook to rebuild the church while the state government promised to provide infrastructure in the community; but till date, it’s still all promises and nothing to show for it. It all goes to show the level of insincerity and nonchalance of those who claim to be our leaders,” one of the victims said.
When contacted, the gubernatorial Liaison Officer for Vandeikya council and an indigene of Adamgbe, Mr. Dominic Ucha, said the state government had not failed to fulfill its promises to the people and church.
He said: “On the part of government, all that was promised the people and church have been fulfilled, while work on the road leading to the church is ongoing and would be completed soon.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, told journalists on phone that the church was in a better position to offer explanation as to what happened to the donations made by individuals and governments because “the state government has handed all the donations to the church.”