The approval was granted during the State Executive Council Meeting on Friday evening at the government house in Port Harcourt.
File photo of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Rivers State Government has approved N19.5 billion for the reconstruction of the State Assembly Chambers, which were demolished amid the political crisis in the state. The approval was granted during the State Executive Council Meeting 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) at a cost of N19,566,621,284.24. He noted that the project is expected to be completed in nine months.
The new Assembly Complex will feature approximately 34 en suite offices in a two-story building with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall. The project will also include the renovation and refurbishment of other structures within the House of Assembly Complex that were not demolished.
Obed-Whyte stated that the completed Rivers State House of Assembly building would be one of the best Assembly complexes in the country.
The approval for the reconstruction is part of the State Executive Council’s extensive considerations on Friday. Other approved proposals include 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 (Ahoada East Local Government Area), Degema Town (Degema Local Government), Omoku Town (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government), and Bori Town (Khana Local Government Area). Additional healthcare projects include the renovation of Bonny General Hospital, the upgrade of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, and the construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
These hospital projects are awarded at a cost of N26,350,310,714.88, while the Kalaibiama-Epellema road and bridge will cost N29,035,907,233.76.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Commissioner for Health Dr. Adaeze Oreh said the ministry sought approval for the termination of all existing contracts for the zonal hospitals and the re-awarding of fresh contracts to enable the completion of the projects, including the renovation of Bonny General Hospital. She expressed gratitude to the State Executive Council for approving the requests, summing up to N26,350,310,714.88, for the completion of the zonal hospitals, renovation of Bonny General Hospital, upgrade of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, and construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo.
Dr. Oreh added that new contractors would be mobilized to commence construction work on these healthcare projects to enhance healthcare delivery in the state.
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