The Rivers State Government has explained why it embarked on the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt saying it is to give way for a new structure.
A statement by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, on Wednesday morning said the exercise is necessary so as to rebuild the complex which has suffered structural defects following a recent explosion and fire incident.
Johnson said after the visit of Governor Sim Fubara to inspect the level of damage to the building on the day of the incident, it became necessary to seek expert opinion on the integrity of the building.
“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”, part of the statement said.
Johnson said the government had to bow to the superior opinion of experts that the building has become unsafe for legislative business even when it originally considered and tried all cost saving measures to repair the building.
He said an alternative venue has been provided for the members of the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex.
See the full statement from Rivers State Government below:
RSG GOVERNMENT SET TO REBUILD THE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX
The Rivers State Government says 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.
A statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information Mr Joseph Johnson said 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.
It would be recalled that on the night of the attack on the complex explosive dynamites were used to attack the complex which shook it to foundation. 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, noting 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.
In the interim, the Rivers State Government has provided an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex.
Hon Joseph Johnson
Hon Commissioner for Information and Communications
Rivers State
13/12/2023
