The Rivers government has approved the construction of new residential quarters for the State House of Assembly members in Port Harcourt to the tune of N10.1 billion.

The 32 four bedroom duplexes will now replace “the block of flats now considered to be obsolete,” commissioner of housing, Chinedu Tasie, said while briefing reporters after a state executive meeting where approval for the project was granted on Friday.

Mr. Tasie said the new legislative quarters would provide global standard accommodation for the legislators, and is expected to be completed within 16 months.

The new assembly quarters would be built within the old site, and will include a multipurpose hall, green area, security accommodation, guard office, gate houses and network of roads and underground drainage.

Information commissioner Paulinus Nsirim said that the project would boost the synergy that existed between the two arms of government.

“In this State, the relationship between the executive, legislature and the judiciary is one that is being celebrated across the country because of the leadership that the Governor has given in the State.

“So, we are looking forward to a global standard accommodation for our legislators, which will help them in the legislative business in the years ahead,’’ Mr. Nsirim said.

Governor Nyesom Wike has entrenched his habit of splashing sizable state resources for the comfort of government fat cats in the legislature and the judiciary.

People’s Gazette has reported how Mr. Wike shelled out good money to purchase luxury cars for state and federal legislators as well as judges, while pensioners wallow in penury.

Observers say Mr. Wike’s largesse could be his way of keeping these statutorily independent arms of government on patronage as he trudges his way through his many political battles.