The Rivers State Government has authorised a budget of N19.5 billion for the reconstruction of the State Assembly Chambers that were demolished during the recent political crisis in the state.
The budget was announced during the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday evening at the government house in Port Harcourt.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Special Projects, Rowland Obed-Whyte, disclosed to the press that the contract was awarded to Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) at the cost of N19,566,621,284. 24, noting that the project will be complete in nine months.
Obed-Whyte said that upon completion, the newly built Rivers State House of Assembly building would stand out as one of the finest legislative complexes in Nigeria.
The new Assembly Complex, according to him, will feature 34 en suite offices, a two-storey building equipped with an elevator, a gallery, meeting rooms, and a conference hall.
He added that the project will include the renovation and refurbishment of other structures within the House of Assembly Complex that were not demolished.
The other approved projects include the renovation and upgrade of four zonal hospitals and the construction of the Kalaibiama/Epellema road and bridge in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, which is projected to cost N29,035,907,233.76.
The four zonal hospitals intended for renovation are located in Ahoada Town in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Degema Town in Degema Local Government, Omoku Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government, and Bori Town in Khana Local Government Area.
These healthcare projects, alongside the construction of a new general hospital at Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and the renovation of Bonny General Hospital and the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, are projected to cost N26,350,310,714.88.
The Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, noted that the ministry had sought approval for the cancellation and termination of all existing contracts for the Zonal Hospitals in the State and the re-awarding of fresh contracts that will enable completion of the projects.
Oreh said that the new contractors would be mobilised to the site to begin construction work on the various health-related projects in order to advance healthcare delivery across the state.
She stated, “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.”
