In a stunning move, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revoked the ₦134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation and retrofitting of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, ordering the immediate refund of the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee earlier paid to the contractor.

The decision was taken during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The contract, reportedly awarded under the previous administration’s emergency arrangement, was nullified after what officials described as a review of irregularly awarded projects.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the contract was hastily awarded without following due process. He explained that the council has now approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four major projects that were previously advertised but later cancelled.

According to him, new advertisements will be published in national dailies for competent and experienced contractors to bid for the projects, including the renovation and furnishing of the Secretariat Complex and the construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works across several riverine communities in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

The specific projects to be re-bid include the 4.8km shoreline protection and reclamation in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro LGA; 2.5km shoreline works in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities; and another 2.5km stretch in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.

Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, said the council also approved the setting up of a committee to develop a proposal for establishing Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT laboratories across the three senatorial districts. The initiative, she said, aligns with the Federal Government’s directive that from 2026, all WAEC and NECO examinations will be conducted using CBT.

The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, includes the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries of relevant ministries, and the Commissioner for Energy. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move aims to prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve educational standards.

Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council also reviewed ongoing efforts to expand employment opportunities for youths. He noted that the governor has directed the ministry to develop a comprehensive framework for job creation and empowerment, assuring Rivers youths that “there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, told journalists that the council discussed recent flash floods across the state and ordered immediate remedial action. He urged residents to stop dumping waste in drainage channels and building on waterways, warning that the government will enforce environmental laws more strictly.

Sirawoo added that Governor Fubara remains committed to transparency, accountability, and repositioning Rivers State on the path of sustainable growth and progress.