The demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex has been justified by the Rivers State Government.
According to the state Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, the decision to rebuild the complex was necessary due to the structural issues caused by a recent explosion and fire incident.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara examined the extent of the damage and deemed it appropriate to reconstruct the structure.
Expert advice confirmed that the building is now unsafe for human occupation.
This decision was prompted by an explosion that occurred on October 29, 2023, and impacted the assembly chamber.
The state government claimed, “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.
“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,” Johnson added.
The statement added that the Rivers State Government has provided an alternative venue “for the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex.”
