Fubara bares teeth, cancels last minute N134bn renovation job awarded by Sole Administrator
…Orders contractor to refund N20bn ‘mobilisation fee’
Returnee governor, Sim Fubara, seems to bare his new teeth as he has just cancelled a N134bn renovation job awarded by the Sole Administrator.
The governor has also ordered the contractor to return the N20bn said to be ‘mobilisation fee’ collected in the job that was allegedly awarded in the last minute of the life of the emergency rule. The government has ordered the advertisement of the bids of the cancelled job and some other jobs to interested bidders for prequalification, according to law.
The Rivers State executive council which held its first meeting since return of Fubara came out smoking with directives and orders.
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A statement signed by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to Gov Fubara, quoted interviews granted after the executive council meeting by some commissioners and permanent secretaries.
The statement said the revoked job was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
Relatedly, according to the statement, the Council approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
Briefing newsmen, Austen Ezekiel-Hart, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process.
He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“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. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
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The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commisaioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move would prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, Chisom Gbali, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths.
He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
On his part, Honour Sirawoo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
