PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled the N134 billion contract previously awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation and furnishing of the state secretariat complex.
The decision was taken on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during a council meeting presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, said the council also directed the Chinese contractor to refund the N20 billion mobilisation fee already received.
According to the statement, the contract was awarded by Ibok-Ete Ibas, the former sole administrator of the state, during the six-month emergency rule period.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Austin Ezekiel-Hart, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Works, said the contract had been awarded “in haste” and “without due process.”
He explained that the council had resolved to revalidate the bidding process for four key projects initially advertised in February, including the secretariat renovation and three major shoreline protection works across different local government areas.
“The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four projects, including the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the state secretariat complex,” Ezekiel-Hart said.
He added that the state government would open a fresh round of bidding to allow qualified and experienced contractors to submit technical and financial proposals.
The permanent secretary outlined the four projects for which new bids would be invited:
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The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation in Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
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The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
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The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
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The renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.
Ezekiel-Hart said the decision to restart the bidding process was aimed at ensuring transparency, competitiveness, and strict adherence to due process in line with the governor’s commitment to accountability in public procurement.
Governor Fubara’s administration has recently intensified efforts to review and audit contracts awarded during previous administrations and under the state’s interim management period.
