The Rivers State Executive Council, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has revoked a N134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the State Secretariat Complex. The contract, awarded during the emergency rule administration under Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas, was revoked due to lack of due process and transparency.

Reasons Behind the Revocation

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, cited the hasty manner in which the contract was awarded without following due process as the reason for the revocation. The council has directed the contractor to refund the N20 billion mobilization fee already paid.

New Bidding Process

The council has approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four major projects, including the secretariat renovation and shoreline protection works in various local government areas. Fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers, inviting competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit technical and commercial bids.

Affected Projects

The projects include:

• Shoreline Protection and Reclamation: Construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities
• Shoreline Protection and Reclamation: Construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities
• Shoreline Protection and Reclamation: Construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities
• Secretariat Renovation: Renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex

Additional Initiatives

The council has also approved initiatives to ¹:

• Job Creation: Develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment for Rivers youths
• Computer-Based Testing: Establish Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers and ICT laboratories across the state’s three senatorial districts
• Flood Mitigation: Immediate remedial intervention to address flash floods in affected areas, while cautioning residents against indiscriminate waste disposal and building on waterways.