By Ben Agande

Abuja—President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered that those who supervised  the construction and demolition of a two-storey building belonging to the Nigerian Navy that  collapsed early this year be sanctioned.

It would be recalled that a  building located on 45 Road, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja, which belonged to the Nigerian Navy collapsed in January  killing two people and trapping three others when it was being demolished.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku, said to  forestall a reccurence, President Jonathan had also directed that henceforth supervision of all public buildings must be done by the Department of Public Building either in the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, or in the Federal Ministry of Housing to ensure quality.

According to the Information Minister, FEC deliberated on the report of a committee set up within the Council to investigate the incident.

The report revealed that the poor construction of the building led to severe stress which necessitated the decision to demolish it.

He said members of the council  ordered that those responsible for the supervision of the building should be identified while the committee should recommend appropriate sanctions to be  applied on those found culpable in the discharge of their official responsibilities.

He said: “We believe that the time has come that all of us must answer for the decisions we make in the course of the duty we perform for this nation.

“The committee that was set up has been mandated to conclude investigations on the incident and bring up a proper report that would identify all those who are responsible in supervising the project as well as the demolition which went wrong.

“We also took some far- reaching decisions in terms of all projects in the country that they must be properly designed.

“In the past, there were situations where projects were awarded without final designs. Henceforth FEC took decision that no contract would be awarded in council until we see final designs certified by those who should advise the Federal Government and proper cost of execution identified, these measures are being carried out by all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDA’s.”