Fubara revokes secretariat deal, orders CCECC to refund mobilisation fee
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked 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.
The council also directed the contractor to immediately refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid.
The decision was reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
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Speaking after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was hastily awarded under the State of Emergency Administration without following due process.
He disclosed that the council approved a revalidation of the bidding process for four major projects previously advertised but later cancelled by the previous administration. These include the renovation of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex and the construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.
Fresh bidding, according to him, will soon be advertised in national dailies for qualified contractors to submit both technical and commercial proposals.
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Among the projects to be re-advertised are the construction of a 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro LGA; a 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities; and another 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities, all in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, also revealed that the council approved the establishment of a committee to design a proposal for setting up Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts.
She said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s directive that, from 2026, all WAEC and NECO examinations will be conducted electronically. The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, will include the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries of relevant ministries, and the Commissioner for Energy.
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On youth empowerment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council discussed plans to expand job opportunities and directed his ministry to create a comprehensive employment and empowerment framework.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “Our Governor is a man of his word — when he makes a promise, he keeps it.”
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the council reviewed the impact of recent flash floods in some parts of the state and directed immediate remedial action.
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He urged residents to stop dumping waste in drainage channels and building on waterways, noting that Governor Fubara remains committed to driving sustainable development and repositioning Rivers State for lasting progress.
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