JUST IN: Gov. Fubara presents 2024 budget to 5 Lawmakers

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has participated in the ongoing plenary session of the Rivers State House of Assembly in order to introduce the state's appropriation bill for 2024.

The governor arrived at approximately 9:00 am to attend the assembly plenary, which was being led by Edison Ehie. In his company were additional members of his cabinet, including Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, Isaac Kamalu, the Commissioner for Finance, and Joseph Johnson, the Commissioner for Information and Communications.

On Monday, during its fifth meeting, the State Executive Council granted approval to the Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity, an estimated budget of N800 billion, for the fiscal year 2024.

In a related development, as early as 7:00 am on Wednesday, bulldozers were observed stationed at the entrance to the state Assembly complex, informing the populace of the ongoing demolition effort.

Diverse parties expressed concern over the development, but the State Government maintained that its choice to demolish the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and subsequently reconstruct it was consistent with the recommendations of experts.

The government acknowledged that the structural defects that primarily originated from the recent explosion and fire incident in the sacred chambers of the assembly have compromised the structure's integrity, rendering it unsuitable for human habitation.

Mr Joseph Johnson, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, issued the following statement: "Following the governor's inspection of the building's damage on the day of the fire incident, it became imperative to engage experts to provide the government with advice regarding the structure's structural integrity."

It would be recalled that the complex was struck with explosive dynamite on the night of the assault, causing it to be toppled to its very foundation. After that, the walls developed visible fractures, and the structure as a whole appeared frail and unfit for legislative purposes.

He further stated that the government had implemented every cost-saving measure possible to restore the complex before yielding to the superior viewpoint of reconstructing it into a more suitable structure.

Johnson stated, "Following an evaluation of the complex's structural soundness, the authorities were cautioned by the specialists that maintaining the structure in its current condition would have catastrophic consequences."

"During the interim, the House of Assembly has been granted an alternative location by the Rivers State Government to carry out its proceedings until the complex is reconstructed."