Fubara Revokes N134bn Contract Awarded By Ibas

Rivers State Government Revokes N134bn Secretariat Contract Awarded Under Emergency Rule

In a decisive move aimed at restoring procedural integrity and transparency in public procurement, the Rivers State Executive Council under Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially revoked a massive N134 billion contract previously awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The contract, which was intended for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, was originally approved during the emergency administration led by Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, who served as the Sole Administrator of the state.

The revocation was announced following a State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt. Governor Fubara presided over the session, which culminated in a directive for the immediate refund of the N20 billion mobilization fee already paid to the contractor. The decision was grounded in findings that the contract had been awarded without adherence to due process, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the previous administration’s handling of public funds.

Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Works, briefed journalists after the meeting. He confirmed that the contract lacked proper procedural backing and that the council had approved the revalidation of the bidding process for not only the Secretariat renovation but also three other major infrastructure projects. These include the construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works across multiple riverine communities in the Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

The revalidation process will involve fresh advertisements in national newspapers, inviting competent and experienced contractors to submit both technical and commercial bids. This step is seen as a corrective measure to ensure that all future contracts are awarded through transparent and competitive processes, in line with national procurement standards.

Governor Fubara’s administration has emphasized its commitment to restoring public trust and ensuring that all government projects are executed with integrity and fiscal responsibility. The revocation of the N134bn contract marks a significant shift in governance style, signaling a departure from emergency rule practices and a return to democratic norms and institutional oversight.

This development has sparked renewed interest in the broader implications of emergency governance and the necessity for checks and balances, especially in the management of large-scale public projects.

As Rivers State embarks on a new phase of infrastructural renewal, the administration’s actions are being closely watched by stakeholders across Nigeria, who view this as a litmus test for reform and accountability in subnational governance.