PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE – A House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee has ordered the immediate renovation of the dilapidated Rivers State Secretariat complex and the urgent relocation of civil servants from what it described as life-threatening work environments.
The directive followed a critical inspection tour led by Committee Chairman, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, who assessed the state of both the Secretariat and the stalled Rivers State House of Assembly project. Speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt, Professor Ihonvbere was unsparing in his assessment, stating that the Secretariat was in a condition “worse than facilities in war-torn Gaza.”
Unsafe for Human Occupation
Ihonvbere highlighted a litany of structural failures, including crumbling floor tiles, leaking roofs, exposed electrical wiring, and a complete lack of basic amenities like functional toilets and drinking water. He specifically declared the 6th and 7th floors of the complex as unfit for human occupation, citing life-threatening conditions.
In response, the committee has mandated the immediate closure of these hazardous floors and the swift relocation of staff to safe, alternative office spaces. The committee also demanded a comprehensive renovation of the entire complex, as well as a transparent bidding process for all renovation contracts.
Action on Stalled Projects
Beyond the Secretariat, the committee expressed dismay at the significant delays plaguing the Rivers State House of Assembly project. Ihonvbere noted that the project is now unlikely to meet its September completion deadline. The committee has called for an urgent meeting with contractors to address the delays and announced that it would review their performance, with possible sanctions for non-compliance.
The committee acknowledged the resilience of the civil servants working under these “dire” conditions, particularly those on the dangerous upper floors. Professor Ihonvbere labeled the situation as “gross workplace endangerment” and demanded swift action from the Rivers State Administration, which has been given 48 hours to begin implementing the measures and provide weekly progress reports to the committee. The directive signals a critical move toward restoring safety and functionality to the state’s administrative infrastructure.
