Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and his Ebonyi State counterpart, Eng. David Umahi, have expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State over the collapse of a church building that claimed several lives.

In a statement issued by Enyinnaya Appolos, Chief Press Secretary to Ikpeazu, the Governor expressed the heartfelt condolences of his government and the people of Abia State to his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Emmanuel Udom and the people of Akwa Ibom state on the tragic collapse of Reigners Bible Church building at Uyo last Saturday.

He said that the government and people of Abia State were saddened to hear of the unfortunate collapse of the church building at Uyo that claimed dozens of precious lives with the state Governor barely escaping from the scene of the tragedy.

“Our hearts are with the government and people of Akwa Ibom State at this tragic time and we join others in praying that the Almighty God will give the family and friends of the bereaved the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Similarly, Ebonyi State Governor on Sunday, described as calamity, the collapse of the church building in which scores of people were killed.

Umahi, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, said he put a phone call across to Governor Udom shortly after the incident occurred on Saturday.

“My heart is heavy. I feel so terribly sad over this calamity. My heart is with my brother Governor, who escaped death by the whiskers. My heart is also with the families of those who lost their loved ones to the incident. My heart is with the entire people of Akwa Ibom State. All Ebonyians share their pains,” he said in the statement.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for quick recovery of those injured.

Umahi used the opportunity to call for stricter rules guiding building constructions, saying now is the time for Nigeria to have a workable national building code.

“I also feel that the time has come for the National Institute of Building, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers and other relevant professional bodies to buckle up and effectively monitor the activities of their members,” he advised.

Nigeria, according to the Governor, “has lost too many lives to building collapse and this latest one in Uyo is way too much. A stop must be put to this.”

•Photo shows the collapsed church building.