The Rivers State Government Council has revoked the N134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Development Company (CCECC) for the renovation and furnishing of the state secretariat advanced, citing irregularities within the contract’s award course of.
At a press briefing following the council assembly in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, stated the contract, awarded below the state’s earlier emergency administration, did not adjust to commonplace procurement procedures.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who presided over the assembly, directed CCECC to refund the N20 billion mobilization charge already disbursed. Ezekiel-Hart famous that the undertaking, considered one of a number of hurriedly authorized below the previous management, would now endure a clear revalidation and bidding course of.
“The revalidation train will be sure that solely certified and skilled contractors are engaged,” Ezekiel-Hart stated. “Contemporary ads will likely be positioned in nationwide newspapers to ask bids for the tasks beforehand listed.”
Acknowledged as being within the high 10 states with the very best FAAC disbursement in July 2025, the renovation and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Advanced have been additionally among the many tasks slated for revalidation.
In the meantime, Dr. Chisom Gbali, Commissioner for Employment Era and Financial Empowerment, stated the council additionally reviewed ongoing job creation efforts geared toward empowering the state’s youth. He added {that a} new framework is being developed to increase employment alternatives and stimulate financial progress.
In a associated growth, the Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Training, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, introduced the structure of a committee to design a proposal for establishing Laptop-Based mostly Take a look at (CBT) facilities and ICT laboratories throughout the state’s three senatorial districts.
He urged residents to keep away from dumping waste in drainage channels or developing buildings alongside waterways.
Sirawoo reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to infrastructure renewal and sustainable growth throughout the state.
