MULTIPLE DEATHS AND LOSS OF PROPERTY WORTH MILLIONS OF NAIRA AVERTED IN JOS PLATEAU STATE. JOS METROPOLITAN BOARD AND THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT SHOULD DO THE NEEDFUL TO AVOID LOOMING DEATH AND PROPERTY LOSS.

Report by Euphemia Ejofor

A disaster that would have registered multiple deaths and loss of property worth millions of naira was yesterday averted in Jos, the Plateau state capital, as a huge tree fell few minutes after people left the spot the tree was at Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

The incident, which happened at about 3.30pm, at the Jos metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) Garden, in-between Zaria-by- Pass and Zaria Crescent, near Our Lady of Apostles Hospital (OLA), as many people refer to call the Hospital. 

According to an eye witness account “Not long after the heavy rain of yesterday started, this mighty tree fell down and to the glory of God nobody was harmed and no property was affected”.

Asked why he said so, he replied “this is exactly where people gather every day and cars worth millions of Naira are packed. As a matter of fact, many people were here before the rain started and many cars were packed. Indeed the place attracted many cars today, maybe because tomorrow is public Holiday”.

 

While fielding answers to the questions, on why people gather at the place and why cars are backed in large numbers there daily, the eye witness said “the space is used for car wash, so every day, people bring their cars here for washing and because it attracts many cars, multiple cars are washed at the same time. Apart from this, because of the shade that the place provides, people gather around here. Don’t also forget that cars ply this road constantly”. 

Reacting to the incident, He alluded to the fact the, “I have always complained to anybody that cares to listen, that the authorities at the Jos Metropolitan Development Board and the Ministry of Environment have not been responsible enough, with respect to the management of these trees”.