The Rivers state executive council has revoked the N134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation and furnishing of the state secretariat complex.
The council took the decision on Thursday during a meeting presided over by Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, at the government house in Port Harcourt.
Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara’s chief press secretary (CPS), said in a statement that the council also directed the contractor to refund the N20 billion mobilisation fee it had received.
The statement added that Ikot-Ete Ibas, the former sole administrator of the state, awarded the contract during the six-month emergency rule.
Speaking to journalists, Austin Ezekiel-Hart, permanent secretary at the Rivers’ ministry of works, said the project was awarded “in haste” and “without due process”.
He said the council approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four projects earlier advertised in February, including the secretariat renovation and shoreline protection works in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs.
Ezekiel-Hart added that fresh bidding would be opened for qualified and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit technical and financial proposals.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
