Why We Demolished Rivers Assembly Complex – Information Commissioner

The Rivers State Government has justified the demolition of the State House of Assembly Complex early Wednesday morning.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Joseph Johnson, said the demolition of the complex was as a result of structural defects following a recent explosion and fire incident that has rendered the main building unfit and unsafe for human use.

In a statement, he said Gov. Siminalayi Fubara had inspected the facility to see the level of damage done to it on the day of the fire incident and had invited 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 its foundation.

There were visible cracks on the walls afterwards, and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business.

Johnson said: “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 has 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.”

Johnson, however, said the sate government has provided an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct its affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex.

Persecondnews had reported that the state government had on Wednesday morning rolled out about six bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment for the demolition of the assembly complex.

No fewer than 27 PDP lawmakers loyal to ex-Gov. Nyesom Wike out of the 32-member legislature had on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and his successor, Gov. Fubara have been at a daggers drawn over what Wike called his political structure in the state.

At a recent interview in Abuja, Wike had referred to Fubara as an ingrate.