“We Received Experts’ Advice To Pull Down Rivers Assembly Complex” – State Govt

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, has shed light on the complete demolition of the state House of Assembly building saying the demolition followed the structural defects caused by the recent explosion and fire incident.

This is coming just as some of the lawmakers, loyal to Governor Sim Fubara held sitting on Wednesday to receive the 2024 appropriation bill from Governor Sim Fubara.

Heavy duty trucks were reportedly moved to the Assembly complex early Wednesday morning to commence the demolition.

Despite its dilapidation lawmakers loyal to immediate past governor of the state, Nyesome Wike had been meeting there until Tuesday when a court in Rivers state stopped their continued assembly.

The Commissioner explained that the fire incident, occasioned by the explosion, has rendered the main building unfit for human use.

In a statement, he 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 advise the government on the integrity of the building.

Johnson pointed out that 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.

“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 Commissioner disclosed that the state  government had tried all cost-saving measures towards repair of the complex, until it bowed to a superior view of rebuilding the complex to a more befitting edifice.

The State Government stated that alternative venue has been provided for the lawmakers to carry out their legislative duties.