The Rivers State Government has approved N19.5 billion for the reconstruction of the State Assembly Chambers, which were demolished amid the state’s political crisis.
This approval was granted during the State Executive Council Meeting held on Friday evening at the government house in Port Harcourt.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Dr. Rowland Obed-Whyte, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Special Projects, announced that the contract was awarded to Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) for N19,566,621,284.24.
He stated that the project is expected to be completed in nine months and will feature a new Assembly Complex with approximately 34 en suite offices in a two-story building equipped with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall.
Additionally, the project includes the renovation and refurbishment of other structures within the House of Assembly Complex that were not demolished.
Obed-Whyte emphasized that upon completion, the Rivers State House of Assembly building will be one of the finest assembly complexes in the country.
The reconstruction approval is part of the significant considerations made by the State Executive Council on Friday.
The government also approved several other proposals, including the renovation and upgrade of four zonal hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure in the state, as well as the construction of the Kalaibiama/Epellema road and bridge in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
The four zonal hospitals are located in Ahoada Town in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Degema Town in Degema Local Government Area, Omoku Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, and Bori Town in Khana Local Government Area.
Additional healthcare projects include the renovation of Bonny General Hospital, the renovation and upgrade of Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, and the construction of a new General Hospital in Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The hospital projects are awarded at a cost of N26,350,310,714.88, while the Kalaibiama-Epellema road and bridge in Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area will cost N29,035,907,233.76.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Commissioner for Health Dr. Adaeze Oreh explained that the ministry requested approval for the cancellation and termination of all existing contracts for the zonal hospitals in the state, and the re-awarding of fresh contracts to ensure the completion of the projects, including the renovation of Bonny General Hospital.
She said, “We are thankful to the Rivers State Executive Council that the various decisions sought and prayers that were made by the Rivers State Ministry of Health for the approval of the termination of the contracts for completion of the Zonal Hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema and Omoku, and the re-award of fresh contracts for their completion were approved.
“That the request to the State Executive Council for the approval of the award of these contracts in total summed up to N26, 350, 310, 714. 88k that was approved for the completion of those Zonal Hospitals, the renovation of Bonny General Hospital and the upgrade of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital.
“This also included the construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, which were not among those initially awarded for renovation.”
She said the new contractors would be mobilized to site so that they can commence construction work on those separate projects in the health sector in order to advance healthcare delivery in the State.