‘There were visible cracks’ — Rivers speaks on demolition of assembly complex

The Rivers government has explained why it is demolishing the state house of assembly complex.

On Wednesday, the government commenced the demolition of the assembly complex in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

There were insinuations that the bulldozing of the complex had some political undertone. 

However, in a statement, Joseph Johnson, commissioner for information in Rivers, said the government took the decision because of the structural defects in the building after the fire incident of October. 

On October 30, a portion of the complex was razed by fire. At the time, some lawmakers were allegedly plotting to impeach Siminalayi Fubara as governor of the state.

Johnson said the detonation of explosives in the complex, which caused the fire, affected the foundation of the structure. 

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

The commissioner said the decision to demolish the assembly complex was based on the advice of experts, adding that a temporary chamber has been provided.

“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 statement added. 

“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 development comes on the heels of the defection of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are at loggerheads over the control of the political structure in Rivers.

Wike had called Fubara an ingrate after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political crisis engulfing the state.