The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Emergency Rule has ordered the immediate renovation of the dilapidated Rivers State Secretariat complex and relocation of civil servants to safer facilities.
The directive followed an emergency inspection tour of the complex and the abandoned Rivers State House of Assembly project, led by Committee Chairman, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
In a statement issued Friday by the media aide to the State Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, Ihonvbere described the condition of the Secretariat as “worse than facilities in war-torn Gaza.” He cited major structural defects, leaking roofs, exposed electrical wiring, broken floor tiles, lack of functional toilets, potable water, and basic furniture. He declared the 6th and 7th floors “unfit for human occupation.”
The committee ordered that unsafe floors be shut down immediately, staff be relocated to secure offices, and full-scale renovation of the Secretariat begin without delay. It also directed that a contractor review session be convened over the stalled State Assembly reconstruction.
While condemning the neglect of the infrastructure, Ihonvbere commended civil servants for keeping operations running under “unbearable conditions,” especially those working on the upper floors.
The committee further disclosed that the contractor handling the Assembly project would likely fail to meet the September completion deadline. Consequently, the state government is expected to summon contractors for an emergency meeting, enforce stricter supervision, and consider sanctions for non-performance.
“The current situation constitutes gross workplace endangerment. We demand immediate relocation of displaced workers, a transparent bidding process for the renovation contracts, and weekly progress reports to our committee,” Ihonvbere stated.
The State Government, led by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has been directed to begin implementing the compliance measures within 48 hours.
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