Samuel Omang
The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract previously awarded for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.
The contract, which had been granted to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under the administration of Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), who served as the state’s sole administrator during a period of emergency rule, was nullified during the council’s meeting on Thursday.
Following the cancellation, the council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid to the company for the project.
In addition, the council approved the establishment of a six-member committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, to assess and recommend suitable locations for Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state to support external examinations.
The flood control committee, also led by Prof. Odu, was instructed to take urgent measures to tackle flooding in affected areas of the state. Residents were also advised to avoid blocking drainage channels to reduce the risk of flooding.
The council’s decisions underscore the administration’s renewed focus on accountability, infrastructure oversight, and environmental resilience.