Rivers Sole Administrator Vice-Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) has vowed to complete the ongoing reconstruction of the state House of Assembly Complex project.
Ibas advised the contractor handling the project to speed up work and deliver it as mutually agreed.
He insisted that part of his mandate included restoring full and effective legislative activities in the state.
The Sole Administrator spoke when he visited the area to inspect the ongoing reconstruction work on the new Assembly Complex, located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt Local Government Area on Saturday.
The project was awarded to Monier Construction Company (MCC), Limited and work has advanced on the facility that has 34 offices on a two-storey building with an elevator, gallery, meeting rooms and conference hall.
Ibas, who was accompanied by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, was conducted round the site by the General Manager of MCC, Engr Omaka Oko.
The Sole Administrator explained that in the last two days of assumption of duties, he noticed a missing pillar in the state governance structure, and was determined to ensure that there was a place for effective legislative activities after six months.
Ibas said: “I have 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. I think basically that is what it is.
“They (contractors) have a schedule and they have timelines that I believe they will like to adhere to. I think the State has done its own bit by providing the necessary funds, I was brief. So the onus is on them to make sure that they keep to the terms.”
Ibas 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.
