The Rivers State Government, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has revoked the ₦134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the State Secretariat Complex.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, said the decision was taken during the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the council directed the immediate refund of the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee earlier paid to the contractor.
The council also approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four major projects, including the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, and the construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in riverine communities across Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the original contracts were awarded “in a hasty manner” without due process.
He explained that the government would now begin a fresh bidding process, to be advertised in national newspapers, for qualified contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
Ezekiel-Hart listed the projects to include:
- Construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro LGA.
- Construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA.
- Construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA.
- Renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council also approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by WAEC and NECO will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, includes the Secretary to the State Government, as well as Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications, and the Commissioner for Energy.
Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the initiative aims to equip Rivers youths with digital skills and improve the quality of education across the state.
On employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for young people in Rivers State.
He said the ministry had been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, adding that Governor Fubara’s administration remains committed to expanding opportunities for the youth.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor—when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, revealed that the council discussed the recent flash floods affecting parts of the state and ordered immediate remedial action to address the situation.
He cautioned residents against indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, warning that such practices worsen flooding across the state.
