Rivers Govt Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Orders CCECC to Refund N20bn

The Rivers State Government has terminated the controversial ₦134 billion contract for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the State Secretariat Complex awarded during the twilight of the emergency rule.

The decision was among the key resolutions reached at Thursday’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting — the first since the end of the emergency rule — presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, on October 16, 2025.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the Council deliberated extensively on matters relating to education, employment generation, infrastructure projects, and the flash floods affecting parts of the state.

Flanked by Dr. Chisom Gbali (Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment), Mr. Austin Ezekiel Hart (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works), and Dr. (Mrs.) Azibolanari Uzoma Worgu (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education), Sirawoo disclosed that Council expressed deep concern over poor waste disposal practices by residents, which have contributed to blocked drainage channels and worsening flood situations across the state.

He said the Council directed immediate enforcement actions and public sensitisation to curb such environmental infractions.

Speaking further, Mr. Austin Ezekiel Hart confirmed that the contract for the Secretariat Complex awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at ₦134 billion has been revoked, with the contractor directed to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee earlier received.

Hart added that the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four previously advertised infrastructure projects. These include:

• Construction of a 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation at Queens Town and Epellema–Iloma–Minimah communities in Opobo/Nkoro LGA.
• Construction of a 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni–Oniku–Ishiuku–Ase–Azage communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
• Construction of a 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Otuechi–Obiofu–Isala–Anieze–Odokiri communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
• Renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.

On education, Dr. (Mrs.) Azibolanari Uzoma Worgu revealed that the Council approved the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres across the three senatorial districts and all 23 local government areas. A six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu has been set up to develop modalities for the project’s implementation.

Also speaking, Dr. Chisom Gbali said the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment has been directed to develop fresh proposals to create job opportunities and youth empowerment schemes across the state.

He assured that the ministry would align its initiatives with Governor Fubara’s vision of delivering purposeful governance and sustainable development to the people of Rivers State.