By Kamil Opeyemi
The government of Rivers state on Wednesday offered explanations for the demolition of the state House of Assembly building.
Government said the demolition became necessary as a result of alleged structural defect which resulted from the burning of a section of the complex in October this year by some arsonists.
The Rivers State Government says the decision to demolish and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was due to the structural defects which arose mainly as a result of the recent explosion and fire incident which rendered the main building unfit for human use.
A statement 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
“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, noting 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.
Ahead of the demolition, the House has commenced the use of a temporary place for the business of legislature.