The Rivers State Government has began the reconstruction of its House of Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt 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.

This is contrary to viral reports that the demolision was due to a certain imoeachment plan.

No property was removed from the complex before the demolition, it was learnt.

The demolition occurred about two months after a section of the complex was bombed by some hoodlums.

Although the state government is yet to speak on the demolition, sources within the government claimed the exercise was part of efforts to carry out renovation works at the facility following the bombing of a section of the complex in October.

However,

Though some people believe that the demolition may have been done to prevent the faction – there are 27 of them – loyal to Mr Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike from holding plenary.

This latest incident happened hours after a High Court in the state issued an order that the four members of the state assembly backed by Governor Fubara should hold legislative business without interference.

The Rivers State Government is an Wednesday afternoon press statement 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 issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information Mr John Joseph 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 advice 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.

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.

The Rivers assembly had, since late October, split into two factions following an attempt by some lawmakers to impeach Governor Fubara, a development that led to the bombing of a section of the assembly complex.

The split was triggered by the political tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Martin Amaewhule is the speaker of the 27-member faction loyal to Mr Wike.

Mr Ehie, a former leader of the assembly, who was removed for refusing to endorse Governor Fubara’s impeachment, later emerged Speaker of the faction loyal to the governor.

The two factions have since then held parallel sittings at different locations in Port Harcourt.

But the crisis got messier on Monday after the Wike-backed faction rose from their sitting and announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress, (APC), prompting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ask INEC to declare their seats vacant and conduct a fresh election to replace them.

Mr Ehie, on Tuesday, obtained the court order allowing his faction to hold sittings and conduct legislative business without interference and disruption, apparently to consolidate his leadership of the assembly after the defection of the other 27 lawmakers.

On Wednesday, the Rivers State House of Assembly declared the seats of the 27 members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party the All Progressives Congress vacant.

The affected lawmakers were not present at the sitting where their seats were declared vacant.

Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented the 2024 Rivers State appropriation bill.

The governor arrived at the plenary of the assembly under the speakership of Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, around 9:00 a.m.

Fubara was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, and other members of his cabinet.

The State Executive Council, in its 5th sitting on Monday, approved the estimated budget of over N800 billion, christened the Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity for the 2024 fiscal year.