By Davies Iheamnachor
PORT HARCOURT – On Monday evening, a sudden blaze engulfed part of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, severely damaging the offices of the State Pension Board situated within the Podium Block.
This fire incident followed closely on the heels of Governor Siminalayi Fubara‘s recent decision to disband the Pension Board, which had been established by the former Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (rtd).
The outbreak of the fire coincides with ongoing accusations of financial impropriety linked to the board. Reports indicate that investigations into the board’s fiscal conduct during the Emergency Rule period, declared by President Bola Tinubu, were underway.
Insiders at the Secretariat suggest that an electrical malfunction could have sparked the fire, which unfortunately led to the destruction of numerous critical documents.
Dr. Honour Siriwo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, confirmed the event, stating that firefighters from both the State and Federal Fire Services acted swiftly to control the blaze.
At the time of reporting, the full scale of the damage and any potential injuries remained unclear, according to Siriwo.