The fire, which started in the Accounts Department, spread to the
media section of the complex.
According to a source, the fire destroyed properties, including
sensitive documents.
At press time, policemen with Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, were
stationed at the gate of the Assembly complex as journalists, casual
workers of the state assembly, among others, were not allowed into the
complex.
Some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders in the state have
accused youths loyal to Labour Party, LP, of masterminding the fire.
However, others exonerated the youths, saying they would have started
with the hallowed chambers, the Speaker's office and not the account
section of the complex, if they were involved.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Martin Elechi said it was wrong for
the House to draw any conclusion over the incident, adding that a
thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the immediate
and remote causes of the outbreak.
The governor, who expressed delight that no life was lost in the fire,
called on the lawmakers to restrain themselves from actions that would
not promote peace and unity of the state.
Police story
Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO ASP Chris
Anyanwu, stated that the fire started at about 1:15am yesterday.
"We got a distress call from the police officer in charge of the House
of Assembly complex that there was fire outbreak in the area.
"We dispatched our men to this place and they were led by the
Commissioner of police Dikko Maigari.
"With the combined effort of men of the fire service and police force,
the fire was put out. As you can see the account section of the
Assembly has been razed and it is the only wing that was affected by
this inferno.
"The Department of Investigation of the police command has commenced
their investigation and as soon as they unravel the cause of the
inferno, we will update you."
Burnt
Items gutted by the inferno include financial records, furniture,
computer sets, refrigerators, air conditioner, ceiling and standing
fans and other valuable property worth millions of naira.
In his reaction, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku,
blamed the fire on the state executive arm of government.
Speaking with journalists immediately after plenary, the Speaker, who
expressed shock and disappointment over the development, also accused
prominent members in Governor Martin Elechi's cabinet as being the
mastermind of the incident.
WhenVanguardvisited the Assembly complex, smoke was still billowing
from the debris of the items consumed by the fire as jerry cans filled
with inflammable substances such as diesel, were seen in some offices
yet to be gutted by the fire.
The substance was equally poured on the floor of the House of Assembly
complex, but had not ignited before men and officers of the police
command responded to the distress call.
Nwazunku further alleged that those responsible for the act were
individuals in Governor Elechi's government, invited over alleged
mismanagement of public funds, since the commencement of the present
administration.
House probe
Recall that the House had, during its last plenary, summoned Governor
Martin Elechi, his son, Elechi Elechi, the Attorney-General and
Commissioner of Justice, Dr. Ben Igwenyi, Commissioner for Local
Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Celestine Nwali, the state
Accountant-General to answer questions over their alleged role in
misappropriation of public funds.
He said: "We were to begin hearing on this matter today (yesterday)
only to be told that the account section, media office of the state
Assembly complex were gutted by fire.
"Those responsible were those we invited to answer questions
concerning the mismanagement of public funds."
During the plenary, the House further declared vacant the seats of
Oliver Nwachuwku, who represents Abakaliki North and the embattled
Deputy Speaker, who represents Afikpo South East, and Blaise Orji,
bringing to six the number of seats declared vacant.
--Vanguard
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