The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has instructed the contractor in charge of the State Assembly Complex project to expedite work and complete it in line with the terms of the contract agreement.
The administrator issued this directive during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the new Assembly Complex, located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, on Saturday.
The retired naval chief emphasized that part of his mandate involves reinstating full and effective legislative functions in the state.
The project, awarded to Monier Construction Company (MCC) Limited, has made notable progress. It includes approximately 34 en-suite offices in a two-storey building equipped with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall.
The sole administrator noted that, within his first two days in office, he identified a critical gap in the state’s governance structure. He expressed his determination to ensure that a functional space for effective legislative activities is established within the next six months.
He said, “I had been at the executive arm of the state governance structure and one of the pillars that is missing for now is the legislature and for them to function effectively, they also need a place to work from.
“And perhaps, I am yet to be sure that work is going on as expected. So that by the end of the six months, this place will be ready for those who need to use it.
“They (contractor) have a schedule and they have timelines that I believe they will like to adhere to.”
He said from the briefing he got, the state has done its bit by providing the necessary funds, noting that “the onus is on them (the contractor) to make sure that they keep to the terms”.
The retired vice admiral emphasised that he was appointed in the first place, to to maintain law and order, which will enable the state to go back to what it is supposed to be.
He was accompanied by the Head of Service of the State, George Nwaeke; and was conducted around the site by the General Manager of MCC, Omaka Oko.