The Rivers State House of Assembly has designated October 29 as a day to commemorate what it described as the “unprovoked attacks on the legislature”.
Led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the House, reacting to the burning down of its chamber 386 days ago, wondered why no culprit has been convicted for the arson.
In a statement signed and made available by Martins Wachukwu, the Special Assistant on Media to Amaewhule, he noted that the Speaker also condemned the demolition of the Assembly Complex by Governor Siminialayi Fubara on December 13, 2023, without the knowledge and approval of the House.
He described the demolition as a brutal attack on democracy.
The statement read, “Retrospecting on the mindless burning down of the hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly 386 days ago, the State House of Assembly, on Monday, at its 68th Legislative Sitting, again decried the nihilistic burning down of its hallowed Chamber, the attack on the official residence of the Speaker, and the brazen demolition of the Assembly Complex.
“Speaking on the matter, the Leader, Hon. Major Jack, drew the attention of the House to these sad events, more particularly the burning down of the hallowed Chamber of the House on the 29th of October, 2023 by some arsonists.
“Commenting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule said ‘it has been 386 days since the heartless burning down of the hallowed Chamber of the House, yet no conviction has been made’.
“Speaking further, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule stated that similarly, it has been 341 days since Governor Siminialayi Fubara supervised the demolition of the Assembly Complex on the 13th of December, 2023 without the knowledge and approval of the House; describing it as a sad reminder of the brutal attacks on the Legislature, which is the bastion of democracy. The House then resolved to set aside every 29th of October as a solemn day to commemorate all the iniquitous, scandalous and malicious attacks on the Rivers State House of Assembly by Governor Fubara.”
In addition, the lawmakers directed Julius Berger Plc to repair the collapsed sections of alternative routes to the Port Harcourt Ring Road.
It read, “Meanwhile, the House has further directed Julius Berger Plc to carry out remedial repairs on the collapsed sections of the alternative routes to the Port Harcourt Ring-Road. Debating on the Report of the House Committee on Works, Members commended the Committee for the detailed Report and urged the committee to follow up.
“The House thereafter resolved that the synergy between the contracting firm and the Committee be maintained to ensure that the execution of the Port Harcourt Ring-Road is on course, and that the collapsed sections of the designated alternative routes are fixed.”
