The Government of Rivers State had defended its decision to pull-down and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, saying the building structure has been grossly affected following the recent explosion that hits the building. The government insisted that the fire incident has rendered the main building unfit for human use and therefore need to be rebuilt.
This was made known today by the Rivers state Commissioner for Information, Mr Joseph Johnson saying after the visit of the governor to inspect the level of damage inflicted on the building when it was hit by the fire incident, it has became necessary to invite professionals to advise the government on the integrity of the building which was done.
Dynamite was used to attack the complex which resulted in shaking the very foundation of the building, leading to visible cracks on the walls afterwards.
The statement partly 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 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,” Johnson stated.
In the meantime, the state government had made provision of an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex.