Rivers Govt. Allocates N19.5bn for Assembly Chambers Reconstruction

The Rivers State Government has greenlit a budget of N19.5 billion for the reconstruction of the State Assembly Chambers, which were demolished during the height of the state’s political crisis.

The decision was reached during the State Executive Council Meeting held on Friday evening at the government house in Port Harcourt.

Dr. Rowland Obed-Whyte, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Special Projects, confirmed the approval, revealing that Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) secured the contract at a cost of N19,566,621,284.24.

The project is slated for completion within nine months.

The new Assembly Complex will boast 34 en suite offices across a two-story building equipped with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall.

Obed-Whyte further clarified that the project specifications encompass the renovation and refurbishing of remaining structures within the House of Assembly Complex.

Upon completion, the Rivers State House of Assembly building is poised to become one of the premier Assembly complexes in the nation.

The approval for the reconstruction of the demolished Assembly chambers is part of a comprehensive review undertaken by the State Executive Council.

Other approved proposals include the renovation and upgrade of four zonal hospitals, along with other healthcare infrastructure developments in the state, and the construction of the Kalaibiama/Epellema road and bridge in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.

The four Zonal Hospitals earmarked for renovation are situated in Ahoada Town (Ahoda East LGA), Degema Town (Degema LGA), Omoku Town (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA), and Bori Town (Khana LGA).

Also, healthcare infrastructure projects involve the renovation of Bonny General Hospital, the upgrade of Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, and the construction of a new General Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor LGA.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Executive Council for approving the termination of existing contracts and awarding fresh contracts to expedite the completion of healthcare projects, amounting to N26,350,310,714.88.

The new contractors are expected to mobilize swiftly to commence construction, enhancing healthcare delivery across the state.