Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has issued Executive Order 001, officially relocating the House of Assembly to the Auditorium within the Administrative Block of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The gazette, dated December 14th, 2023, highlights the unfortunate burning of the esteemed House of Assembly Chamber on October 29th, 2023, as the primary motivation behind the relocation decision.
Governor Fubara emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing concerns over the compromised safety of both staff and members of the House of Assembly within the current chamber’s state.
Furthermore, he underscored the necessity for immediate repairs, renovations, and reconstruction efforts to address the damage sustained by the chamber. Governor Fubara stressed the importance of ensuring uninterrupted proceedings of the House of Assembly, thus justifying the relocation to facilitate ongoing legislative functions without disruption.
He said: “Now, therefore, I, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, this 30th Day of October, 2023, pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hereby issue, order and direct that all proceedings and business of the Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt, until the repairs, renovation and reconstruction of the chambers of Rivers State House of Assembly”.
