WHY THE STATE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX WAS DEMOLISHED – RIVERS GOVERNMENT

Babatunji Wusu –

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has disclosed the reason behind the Wednesday early demolition of the State House of Assembly structure.

As early as five a.m. on Wednesday, more than ten bulldozers and other large machinery were brought out to begin the demolition of the House of Assembly compound.

State insiders reported that the Assembly Complex was being demolished by the state administration. Tight security is in place while the destruction is underway.

Recall that the Assembly Complex was set on fire by alleged political goons following the altercation between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The decision to demolish and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was made because of structural defects that primarily resulted from the recent explosion and fire incident that rendered the main building unfit for human use, according to Commissioner for Information and Communication Joseph Johnson.

He stated that it became imperative to call experts to advise the government on the building’s integrity following the governor’s visit to assess the extent of damage sustained on the day of the fire catastrophe.

He stated that the government had attempted all cost-cutting measures to repair the complex until it gave in to the overwhelming opinion that it would be better to rebuild the complex as a more appropriate structure. “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,” he said.

“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,” Johnson said.