THE CABINET yesterday appointed a three-man investigative committee to examine why Nicosia Municipal Theatre’s roof caved in last week.
The decision was announced by Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou, who said the committee would examine whether negligence was to blame and where, if necessary, to apportion responsibility.
Heading the committee is Giorgos Ioannides, a Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at the National Metsovio Polytechnic in Greece. Committee members include civil engineers Costas Meletiou and Panicos Papadopoulos.
“The committee will have all the powers in accordance with the law to undertake the investigation of the causes that led to the collapse of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre roof and any possible negligence or responsibility,” Stefanou said.
He said President Demetris Christofias had given clear instructions that the committee’s report be submitted to the Education Ministry as soon as possible.
“The President of the Republic has given clear instructions and orders that responsibility is apportioned where it is due and of course for those who are guilty to be punished… the intention is for the investigation to be concluded as soon as possible,” Stefanou said.
In the meantime the Cabinet decided temporarily to transfer the management of the former Pallas Cinema, which is under refurbishment and should be ready by September, from the Education Ministry to the Municipality of Nicosia. The purpose of this decision was to help cover some of the municipality’s cultural activities.
The Cabinet also agreed to approve a supplementary budget for the construction of the Cyprus Theatre Organisation’s State Theatre
During yesterday’s meeting, the issue of public buildings’ safety was also discussed.
The ministers decided that everyone with any jurisdiction over public buildings in the civil service and local government should immediately begin inspecting the buildings’ suitability. The Communication Ministry will also work alongside other competent government services as well as the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) and have the authority to periodically inspect buildings’ safety and to issue certificates of suitability.
COMMERCE Minister Antonis Paschalides yesterday announced the decision to build two terminals at the Energy Centre in Vassiliko, including one for petroleum products and the other for natural gas.
The Cabinet also decided that the Natural Gas Public Operation (DEFA) and the Electricity Authority will participate with a percentage of 44 per cent, while the remaining 56 per cent will belong to the state.
“This means the state, when and if necessary, will have the scope to concede or to sell a portion of the percentage it retains to a strategic investor,” the minister said.
The ministers also decided to appoint a project manager as soon as possible who would advise on everything regarding the project.
Paschalides said the terminal for petroleum products would be ready two years after signing the contracts while the natural gas terminal would be completed within four and a half years of signing the contracts.
“The government will do everything to ensure these goals are kept,” he said.
The minister said this was the largest infrastructure project that had ever been undertaken in Cyprus, costing over €1 billion, €400 million to build the petroleum terminal and €650-€700 million to construct the natural gas terminal.
