A devastating fire broke out at the Rivers State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt in the early hours of Tuesday morning, causing extensive damage to several government offices and disrupting administrative operations across the state.
The inferno, which reportedly began around 2:30 AM, quickly spread through key departments housed within the complex, including the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Works. Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene, but the intensity of the blaze made containment efforts difficult. No casualties have been reported at this time, though the full extent of property loss is still being assessed.
Speaking to journalists shortly after visiting the site, the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwankwo, expressed deep concern over the incident and confirmed that preliminary investigations point to an electrical fault as the likely cause of the fire.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate event. Initial findings suggest that an electrical malfunction may have triggered the fire. However, a full forensic investigation is underway to determine the exact cause,” Dr. Nwankwo stated.
He assured the public that contingency plans are being activated to ensure continuity of essential government services while restoration efforts begin. The Rivers State Government has also pledged to support affected workers and expedite the rebuilding process.