The Rivers Government has attributed the demolition of the state House of Assembly Complex to structural defects arising from an explosion and fire outbreak.
Mr. Joseph Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Information, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
Johnson said that the incident rendered the building unfit for human use, saying there were visible cracks on the walls and that the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business.
He said that professional advice was sought on the integrity of the building after Gov. Siminalaye Fubara’s inspection visit to determine the level of damage.
“After the assessment of the integrity of the complex, experts warned the government that continuing to use the building in its present state would be disastrous.
‘’The government had tried all cost-saving measures towards the repair of the complex until it bowed to the superior view of rebuilding the complex to a more befitting edifice.
‘’In the interim, the Rivers Government has provided an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct its affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex,’’ Johnson said.
The assembly was attacked in October after an attempt by some lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor and this divided the house into two factions, creating tension in the state.
Meanwhile, governor Siminalayi Fubara Wednesday presented a N800 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill to the five members of state House of Assembly, who did not defect from the Peoples Democratic Party.
A State High Court in Port Harcourt had cleared the way for the five-member Rivers House of Assembly business without interference.
A judge, M.W. Danagogo, gave the order on Tuesday in a suit filed by Edison Ehie on behalf of himself and the Rivers assembly.
The other 27 members of the House loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike were in Abuja to felicitate with Wike on his birthda
Rivers State explains demolition of house of assembly as Fubara presents 2024 budget to five members
