Rivers State Revokes N134bn Secretariat Contract, Orders N20bn Refund

The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ₦134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation and furnishing of the state secretariat complex.

The decision was reached on Thursday during a council meeting presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the council also directed the contractor to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee it had earlier received.

According to the statement, the contract was awarded by Ikot-Ete Ibas, the former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, during the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Austin Ezekiel-Hart, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, described the project as one “awarded in haste” and “without due process.” 

He disclosed that the council had approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four previously advertised projects, including the secretariat renovation and major shoreline protection works in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

Ezekiel-Hart added that fresh bidding would be opened for qualified and experienced contractors to submit technical and financial proposals for consideration.

He listed the affected projects as:

• “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State.”
• “The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.”
• “The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.”
• “The renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.”

The council emphasised that the new bidding process would ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process in the execution of state projects.