Construction of the new Rivers State House of Assembly Complex is advancing, with recent images from Port Harcourt Socials on X showcasing ongoing work, including cranes and scaffolding at the site. The project, highlighted on Friday, reflects a 2025 push for legislative modernization in the oil-rich state, though it unfolds against a backdrop of political instability.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, a unicameral body established in 1979 with 32 elected members, has faced significant challenges. The current 10th Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, is navigating a crisis that led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in March 2025, suspending the governor and Assembly amid governance disputes. On July 3, Rivers Elders urged the restoration of democratic structures, underscoring the tension between former Gov. Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory Minister, and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.
The images, posted at 3:33 p.m. WAT, reveal a multi-story structure with workers actively engaged, though no official details on cost or completion timeline have been released. This lack of transparency has fueled criticism, with X user @Alkebulans64620 calling it a “waste of money, misplaced priority,” echoing broader concerns about fiscal responsibility in Nigerian infrastructure projects. For comparison, a 258-kilometer road project in Kebbi State was recently awarded at 958 billion naira ($600 million), highlighting the scale of public investment and scrutiny surrounding such initiatives.
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The Assembly Complex’s development aligns with a national trend of infrastructure upgrades aimed at boosting economic connectivity, yet political analyst Chidi Okeke notes, “In Rivers, every brick laid is a statement in the power struggle.” With no published cost-benefit analysis available, questions linger about the project’s prioritization amid the state’s economic and political challenges.
As construction continues, the project symbolizes both progress and contention, with local residents and observers awaiting further government clarification. For now, the rising structure stands as a physical manifestation of Rivers State’s complex governance landscape.
