For the first timers, the Rivers State Secretariat complex is obviously a nice and beautiful place to behold.
It is a complex where government businesses are transacted ,that includes other activities that are usually spotted around the environment.
It is siren environment, conceived, designed and built during the military administration of Dette-Spif,now a traditional ruler at his home town in Bayelsa State, caved out of the old Rivers State in the 90s.
Out side the beautiful sites of the State Secretariat Complex, the buildings are otherwise ,fitted and compacted with various storey buildings with various ministries,offices and banks around.
It is a large environment with a good atmosphere and some of the complexes, had about 9 to 17 floors,but outside that, the left in some of the complexes are obviously bad and needs maintenance and repairs.
Apart from the left,there is a great lack of water,and electricity to power some of the electric bulbs around for staff and visitors that usually come around to carry out one activities or the other,while navigating their way to some of the floor used by some commissioners and other important officials of the state government.
The situation now is generally terrible to the extent that ‘meruwa’ – the popular Hausa water sellers , evidently are contracted by most staff working in the complexes for daily water supply.
The nature of work around the complex obvious set on documentation of various government files and other transactions that draw people and visitors to the area.
But,investigations conductor by National Forerunner, shows that out side the beautiful complex that accommodated various staff – from commissioners, permanent secretaries,Directors, senior and junior staff,the deplorable state of the complex has made most of the commissioners and even some permanent secretaries stay away from their offices.
Our further investigations revealed that except, the commissioner of Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim and few others manage to visit their office occasionally, while others now operate their offices from the houses and private business places.
Sad according to an elderly woman that gave her name as Mrs.Theresa, said she was disappointed that the State governor could not effect repairs of left or power the complexes with a least electricity to enable those climbing to various floors in the different complexes in the Secretariat.
National Forerunner investigations has shown that majority of Rivers State commissioners no long go to their office for obvious reason that bothered on the poor situation of left and the poor condition of the State Secretariat complex.