JUST IN: Fubara’s Govt Breaks Silence On Demolition Of Rivers Assembly Amid Crisis
Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led Rivers State Government has given a reason for its decision to demolish and reconstruct the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
It cited structural defects stemming from a recent explosion and fire incident. The incident rendered the main building unsuitable for human use, leading to the surprising appearance of bulldozers at the Assembly Complex on Wednesday morning.
Arsonists had targeted the Assembly building on the night of Sunday, October 29, 2023, amid an impeachment plot against the state Governor Fubara, by House members aligned with the former governor of the State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, State Commissioner for Information, Mr Joseph Johnson, clarified the government’s stance. He explained that after Governor Fubara inspected the damage on the day of the fire incident, professionals were consulted to assess the building’s integrity.
The Commissioner highlighted that explosive dynamites used in the attack shook the complex to its foundation, resulting in visible cracks on the walls and an overall fragile and unsafe structure 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,” stated the Commissioner. He emphasized that the government initially explored cost-saving measures for repairs but ultimately yielded to the superior perspective of rebuilding the complex into a more suitable structure.
“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,” he concluded.
