The Rivers State Government has allocated N19.5 billion for the reconstruction of the State Assembly Chambers, demolished during a recent political crisis. This decision was reached at a State Executive Council Meeting held on Friday evening at the government house in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Rowland Obed-Whyte, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Special Projects, announced that the contract has been awarded to Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) for a total of N19,566,621,284.24.
The project is slated for completion within nine months. The new Assembly Complex will feature 34 en suite offices in a two-storey building equipped with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall. Additional structures within the Assembly Complex that were not demolished will also undergo renovation and refurbishment.
Dr. Obed-Whyte emphasized that once completed, the Assembly building would be one of the finest in the country. The approval for this reconstruction is part of broader deliberations by the State Executive Council.
The council also sanctioned several other significant projects, including:
1. **Renovation and Upgrade of Four Zonal Hospitals**:
– Ahoada Town in Ahoada East Local Government Area
– Degema Town in Degema Local Government Area
– Omoku Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area
– Bori Town in Khana Local Government Area
2. **Renovation of Other Healthcare Facilities**:
– Bonny General Hospital
– Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo
– Construction of a new General Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area
The health infrastructure projects have been awarded a combined budget of N26,350,310,714.88.
3. **Construction of Kalaibiama/Epellema Road and Bridge in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area**:
– This project will cost N29,035,907,233.76.
Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the Commissioner for Health, elaborated that the ministry sought approval to cancel existing contracts for the Zonal Hospitals and re-award new ones to ensure project completion.
She confirmed that the State Executive Council approved a total of N26,350,310,714.88 for the completion and upgrade of these healthcare facilities. New contractors will be mobilized promptly to begin construction, enhancing healthcare delivery across the state.
