Emergency Rule: Fubara hits back at Tinubu cancels ₦134 Billion Secretariat Contract, Demands ₦20 Billion Refund

The Rivers State Executive Council has terminated the ₦134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.

Additionally, the council has mandated the immediate return of the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee previously paid to the contractor.

This decision was made during a council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, chaired by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Following the meeting, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, addressed journalists, revealing that the contract was awarded without adherence to proper procedures under the former State of Emergency Administration.

He further announced that the council has approved a revalidation of the bidding process for four major infrastructure projects that were earlier advertised and then revoked by the previous administration. These include the secretariat renovation project and the construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in various riverine communities across Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

Fresh calls for bids will soon be published in national newspapers, inviting qualified contractors to participate in both technical and commercial tendering processes.

The key shoreline protection and reclamation projects now open for rebidding are:

4.8 km of concrete shoreline works in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima (Opobo/Nkoro LGA),

2.5 km of shoreline protection in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA),

Another 2.5 km of shoreline protection in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA).

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council has approved the establishment of a committee tasked with drafting a proposal for setting up Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT laboratories across all three senatorial districts.

This initiative supports the Federal Government’s directive requiring that all WAEC and NECO examinations be conducted via computer from 2026. The committee will be led by the Deputy Governor and include the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from key ministries, and the Commissioner for Energy.

Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu emphasized that the project aims to equip Rivers students for a digitally driven future while enhancing educational standards across the state.

In a related development, Dr. Chisom Gbali, Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, stated that the council is intensifying efforts to create jobs and empower youth. His ministry has been instructed to design a comprehensive framework to facilitate sustainable employment initiatives.

“We want young people in Rivers State to know that positive change is on the horizon,” Dr. Gbali said. “Governor Fubara is committed to delivering on his promises.”

Also speaking, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, disclosed that the council addressed recent flooding incidents and approved urgent interventions. He urged citizens to refrain from obstructing drainage systems or building on waterways, noting that such actions worsen flood risks.

Dr. Sirawoo reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to accelerating development and positioning Rivers State for long-term, inclusive growth.