The Rivers State government has said it took a decision to demolish and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex following the structural defects caused by the recent explosion and fire incident which rendered the main building unfit for human use.
According to a statement made by Mr Joseph Johnson, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, it became necessary to invite experts to advise the government on the building’s integrity following the governor’s visit to assess the extent of damage caused to the structure on the day of the fire incident.
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.
