The state House of Assembly in Rivers State is under demolition as about 10 bulldozers drove into the complex on Wednesday, giving flesh to the ongoing political crisis.
The Rivers State Government has explained why the State House of Assembly complex was demolished.
This came as Edison Ehie, the factional speaker, led other lawmakers loyal to the governor to convene early on Wednesday before the demolition began.
According to reports, bulldozers entered the complex on Wednesday and began demolishing the facility on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
During the session, Ehie was reported to have stated that the complex was due for repairs following the explosion that rocked the building on October 30, 2023, and that the governor would provide an alternative place for them to sit in the meantime.
The explanation was provided by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning.
Johnson claimed that the facility was rendered unfit for legislation due to a fire that gutted the complex and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
He also stated that the state government has already provided an alternative location for the lawmakers to conduct business while the complex is being rebuilt.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Government says the decision to demolish and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was due to the structural defects that arose mainly as a result of the recent explosion and fire incident, which rendered the main building unfit for human use.
“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.