The Rivers State government has demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex
The decision according to the state government followed the structural defects caused by the recent explosion and fire incident which it says 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.
The Commissioner said on the night of the attack on the complex, the dynamites caused an explosion that shook the foundation of the building.
“There were visible cracks on the walls afterwards, and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business”, the statement said
He added: “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.
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.
“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 said.
This demolition comes amidst tense political situation in the state, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara engaged in a power struggle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The demolition reportedly took place with heavy machinery on site tearing down the building.
The reason for the demolition is believed to be connected to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Earlier this morning, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ehie Edison, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, reportedly presided over a plenary session of the 10th Assembly made up of five out of the 32 member house. Ehie Edison is a close ally of Governor Fubara.
This session follows a recent court order that declared Ehie the legitimate Speaker and barred his rival, Martins Amaewhule, from claiming leadership. Amaewhule is believed to be backed by Nyesom Wike.
The tension in the state came to public notice in October when a section of the assembly complex was burned down, allegedly by supporters of Fubara, in an attempt to prevent impeachment proceedings against him.
The process was ultimately stalled by the intervention of President Tinubu
