Rivers Government Revokes ₦134bn Secretariat Contract, Orders CCECC to Refund ₦20bn

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…Revalidates Four Major Projects, Moves to Create CBT Centres and Job Opportunities

By John Ollor Obe 

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled the ₦134 billion contract earlier awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, directing the company to refund the ₦20 billion mobilization fee it received.

The decision was reached on Thursday during the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the contract was hurriedly awarded by the previous Emergency Administration without adherence to due process.

He explained that the Council consequently approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four key projects, including:

  • Renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex;
  • Construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities (Opobo/Nkoro LGA);
  • Construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA); and
  • Construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA).

Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that with the revalidation process now underway, fresh advertisements will be placed in national newspapers to invite competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.

Meanwhile, the Council also approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, the move aligns with the Federal Government’s directive that all WAEC and NECO examinations will become computer-based from 2026.

She said the committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, will include the Secretary to the State Government and Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications, and Energy. The initiative, she noted, will “prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.”

In the same vein, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, announced that the government is developing a comprehensive framework for job creation and economic empowerment.

“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said, emphasizing that Governor Fubara is committed to fulfilling his promises to the young population.

On environmental concerns, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the Council deliberated on the recent flash floods in some parts of the state and directed immediate remedial interventions.

He warned residents against indiscriminate waste disposal and illegal construction on waterways, stressing that these acts exacerbate flooding.

Dr. Sirawoo also reaffirmed Governor Fubara’s determination to “accelerate the pace of governance and restore Rivers State to the path of sustainable growth and progress.”

The Council’s decisions reflect the administration’s renewed commitment to transparency, due process, and people-centred development across all sectors.

©️ Prime Heritage Television
Reporter: John Ollor Obe 
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025


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