17/10/2025
Rivers Govt Revokes ₦134bn Secretariat Contract, Orders ₦20bn Refund
• Revalidates Four Key Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled the ₦134 billion contract earlier awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.
The Council also directed the immediate refund of the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee previously paid to the company by the former emergency administration.
The decision was among key resolutions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded hastily and without due process, prompting the government to revoke it and revalidate the bidding process.
He said the Council approved the revalidation of four major projects, including:
The renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex;
The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation at Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area;
The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation at 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, also in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Dr. Ezekiel-Hart said fresh advertisements for the projects will soon be published to enable competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
“The previous process did not meet the required standards of transparency and competitiveness. With this revalidation, we are starting afresh to ensure accountability and value for money,” he said.
New ICT and Education Initiative
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, disclosed that the Council approved the constitution of a committee to design a framework for the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s directive that all WAEC and NECO examinations from 2026 will be conducted using the CBT format.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, will have the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications, and the Commissioner for Energy as members.
Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu noted that the initiative will help prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the overall quality of education across the state.
Renewed Focus on Employment
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the Council reviewed ongoing initiatives to boost job creation and youth empowerment.
He stated that his ministry has been directed to develop a comprehensive framework for employment generation and entrepreneurship development.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” he said. “Governor Fubara is deliberate about creating opportunities and ensuring that promises made are promises kept.”
Flood Control and Environmental Safety
On the issue of flash floods recently experienced in parts of the state, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the Council directed immediate remedial actions to curb flooding and urged residents to desist from dumping refuse into drainages or building on waterways.
Dr. Sirawoo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustainable development, noting that Governor Fubara remains focused on restoring confidence in governance and accelerating Rivers State’s socio-economic progress.
“The Governor’s renewed energy and sense of purpose will soon place Rivers State back on a path of sustainable growth,” Sirawoo said.
The revocation of the controversial ₦134 billion secretariat contract underscores the Fubara administration’s resolve to ensure transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the management of public resources.
