The Rivers State Government has explained the reason for the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex, saying it is “unfit for human use” following the recent explosion and fire incident.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that an alternative place have been provided by the state government for the lawmakers to carry on their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex as bulldozers began demolition of the facility located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning. The demolition began at about 7:30am. More than 10 bulldozers, excavators and other heavy-duty machines had arrived the assembly complex as early as 5am today.
The statement read, “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.
“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 advise 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.”
“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, ” the statement added.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
