The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract previously awarded for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt.
The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) during the tenure of Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd) as the state’s sole administrator under emergency rule, was nullified during the Council’s meeting held on Thursday.
As part of the decision, the Council ordered CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.
Further Approvals and Directives
In addition to the contract cancellation, the Council approved the formation of a six-member committee headed by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu. The committee is tasked with identifying and recommending suitable locations for Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state to support external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.
The Council also directed the state flood control committee, also chaired by Odu, to implement urgent flood mitigation measures in affected areas. It further cautioned residents against blocking drainage systems, which exacerbates flooding during the rainy season.
Vice Admiral Ibas (retd.) served as Rivers State’s sole administrator during a brief period of emergency rule. The now-cancelled contract had drawn scrutiny due to its scale and the period during which it was awarded
