Nnamdi Chukwu
THE Rivers State government has demolished the state House of Assembly building on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, ostensibly for reconstruction.
As early as 5 a.m. on Wednesday, over 10 bulldozers, excavators, and other heavy-duty machines were brought to the Assembly complex.
The demolition commenced at about 7:30 a.m. As of the time of this report, the process is still ongoing.
This was coming some weeks after the hallowed chambers of the state Assembly was gutted by fire, by, allegedly, political thugs. The incident took place on 29 October 2023.
The development raised concerns from different quarters but the state government explained that its decision to demolish and eventually rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was in line with experts’ advice.
The government noted that the integrity of the structure has been compromised due to the structural defects that arose mainly as a result of the recent explosion and fire incident at the hallowed chambers of the assembly, and that the building has been rendered unfit for human use.
A statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information Mr Joseph Johnson said after the visit of the governor to inspect the level of damage done to the building on the day of the fire incident, it became necessary to invite 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 foundation. There were visible cracks on the walls afterwards, and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business”, he said, noting that the government had tried all cost saving measures towards repair of the complex until it bowed to the superior view of rebuilding the Complex to a more befitting edifice.
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.
“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.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that the 32-member Assembly has been polarized into two camps one loyal to the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the other loyal to a former governor who is now a serving minister, Nyeson Wike.
On Monday, 27 of the lawmakers, said to be loyal to Mr Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor is a member of the PDP.
Also, yesterday, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt restrained Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol (Speaker and Deputy Speaker of a faction of Rivers State House) from further use of armed thugs accompanied by police personnel in riot gear to gain access to the Rivers State House of Assembly complex at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Justice M.W.Danagogo while ruling on a motion ex parte borough by Rt Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie (DSSRS), factional Speaker of the Assembly, the court further restrained the Defendants whether by themselves, their agents, servants, privies and representatives in whatsoever and howsoever manner from preventing, disrupting and interfering with the smooth and regular operation, management and administration of the 1″ Claimant/Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed in this suit.
Justice Danagogo also restrained the Defendants whether by themselves, their agents, servants, privies and representatives in whatsoever and howsoever manner from preventing, disrupting and interfering with the exercise of the 2nd Claimant/Applicant’s statutory legislative duties of summoning and holding meetings, proceedings, issuing notices, passing resolutions, bills and performing other legislative functions of the 1″ Claimant/Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed in this suit.The Claimants in suit number PHC/3030/CS/2023 include Rivers State House of Assembly and Rt Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie (DSSRS); while the Defendants are Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule and Rt. Hon. Double Maol (sued jointly and severally).
Eighteen-Eleven Media