The Rivers State Government has explained why it embarked on the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex.
Daily Champion reports that the Assembly complex is currently being demolished by the Rivers State Government to begin renovation work on the complex which was few weeks ago gutted by fire.
Recall that the Assembly complex was on Sunday 29 October, 2023 set ablaze by yet to be identified arsonist.
Since then, the assembly has been rocked by crisis which saw some members of the House move to impeach the governor. The crisis later gave birth to the emergence of two Speakers and the defection of 27 members from the PDP to the APC.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information Mr Joseph Johnson in a statement sent to newsmen in Port Harcourt said the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was as a result of the blast at the hallowed chambers of the House.
The Commissioner said the dynamite explosive that was used to attack the Assembly complex shook the building to it’s foundation, hence the decision to demolish the complex and rebuild it.
His words, “The decision to demolish and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was due to the structural defects which arose mainly as a result of the recent explosion and fire incident which rendered the main building unfit for human use.
“After the visit of the Governor to inspect the level of damage done to the building on the day of the fire incident, it became necessary to invite professionals to advice the government on the integrity of the building.
“There were visible cracks on the walls afterwards, and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business. After the assessment of the integrity of the complex, the experts warned the government that continuing to use the building in its present state would be disastrous”, he said,
Mr. Johnson noted that the government had tried all cost saving measures towards repair of the complex until it bowed to superior view of rebuilding the complex to a more befitting edifice.
He disclosed that an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex has been provided by the government.
