- Safiu Kehinde
Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has assured that the state’s House of Assembly complex will be completed before he leaves office.
Ibas gave the assurance during the inspection of the complex on Saturday.
The Sole Administrator said he had noticed a missing pillar in the State governance structure following his assumption to office.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had appointed Ibas as the Sole Administrator following his declaration of state of emergency in Rivers and the suspension of the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as well as his deputy and all members of the state Assembly.
The retired naval chief assumed office on Thursday few hours after being sworn-in by the President at the State House, Abuja.
Addressing the contractor handling the State Assembly Complex project, Ibas charged him to speed up work and deliver it as mutually agreed.
He held that part of his mandate included restoring full and effective legislative activities in the state.
According to report, the Sole Administrator, who was accompanied by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, was conducted round the site by the General Manager of the company handling the project, Engineer Omaka Oko.
“I had been at the executive arm of the State governance structure and one of the pillars that is missing for now is the legislature and for them to function effectively, they also need a place to work from.
“And perhaps, I am yet to be sure that work is going on as expected, so that by the end of the six months, this place will be ready for those who need to use it. I think basically that is what it is.
“They (contractor) have a schedule and they have timelines that I believe they will like to adhere to. I think the State has done its own bit by providing the necessary funds, I was briefed.” Ibas said.
He stressed that he was appointed in the first place, to maintain law and order, which will enable the state to go back to what it is supposed to be.