House Committee Orders Emergency Renovation of Rivers Secretariat, Directs Immediate Staff Relocation

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Administration has mandated the immediate renovation of the dilapidated State Secretariat complex.

The committee led by its Chairman, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, also ordered for urgent relocation of civil servants from the hazardous work environments, as renovation would soon commence.

The order was made when the committee led by Prof. Ihonvbere assessed both the secretariat and the stalled Rivers State House of Assembly project, in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

During the emergency inspection of the structures, Ihonvbere described the secretariat’s state as “more deplorable than facilities in war-torn Gaza”, citing: structural hazards, weak floor tiles, leaking roofs, and exposed electrical wiring; absence of basic amenities, no functional toilets, drinking water, or furniture, and life-threatening environments, particularly on the 6th and 7th floors now declared “unfit for human occupation.”

The committee chairman further ordered immediate closure of compromised floors, emergency relocation of staff to alternative secured office spaces, comprehensive renovation of the entire secretariat complex and contractor review meeting for the delayed Assembly complex project.

While condemning the infrastructure failures, the committee praised civil servants for maintaining operations under “unconscionable conditions,” particularly those working on the dangerous upper floors.

The inspection revealed that the Rivers State House of Assembly contractor will miss the September completion deadline.

Ihonvbere announced emergency meeting with contractors with strict review of project timelines and quality standards possible sanctions for underperformance, saying that “The current state constitutes gross workplace endangerment”.

The committee also demanded for immediate alternative accommodations for displaced workers; “Transparent bidding process for renovation contracts; and weekly progress reports to our committee”.

The Rivers State Administration is expected to commence compliance measures within 48 hours.