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Rivers Probes N3bn Failed School Contracts …State PDP Expresses Shock

Published

10 years ago

June 27, 2016

The Rivers State Government has launched an investigation aimed at unraveling the circumstances surrounding the N3billion failed contracts awarded by the previous administration for the renovation of some secondary school buildings across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The contractors for the schools renovation were mobilised by the former Governor and now Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led government in 2015.
Announcing the jump-starting of the probe last Friday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Senior Secondary School Board Committee on the Implementation and Recovery of Looted Funds, listed the contractors, the local governments, communities, schools and the amounts released by the government for the execution of the contracts.
The committee also listed the contractors and the amount collected from government for the renovation of non-existent schools in the state.
It further directed the contractors to appear at the board’s Okija Street, D/Line office in Port Harcourt by 11am from Wednesday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 27, 2016, to explain why they collected the state government’s money without executing the contracts more than one year after.
Specifically, the committee directed Chimeagata & Services, G. Proof Global Nig Ltd, Nwaugah Jaccob Enterprises, Widereu Integrated Services Ltd, and Nyesemi Intergrated Services Ltd, which collectively collected N1,009,824,000.00 for non-existent schools in the state to appear on June 29 to give details of contracts, their status and any other further information the committee may require to justify the payment for the contracts.
The schools board committee also invited Mondo Progetti Ltd, Ella & Eghuan Ventures, D.P.&H Investment Nig Ltd, Piniebi& Imoh Nig Ltd, Zeus Global Interest Ltd, Chiread Ventures Nig, Building Concepts, Dapreach Nig Ltd, Neo-Brutini Ltd, and Brenton Wood &Trinity Ltd, which collected a cumulative sum of N337,000,000.00 for the renovation of Government Secondary School, Abua in Abua/Odual Local Government Area to meet with it on June 30, 2016, to furnish information on their contracts.
Also on June 30, Waby C. Nig Ltd, STE Office System Ltd, Benbross Global Resources, GAM 3G Ltd, Shadico Multi Services Ltd, and Wetland Works Ltd are to answer questions on the total N298million collected for the renovation of WACHS, Ahoada, in Ahoada East Local Government Area.
On the same day, Robel Global Services Ltd, Atisis Integrated Services, Hartward Enterprises Nig Ltd, Intesmag Network Services, Qantum Services Ltd, and Dorisdesmond Nig Ltd, would explain to the committee how a total sum of N118million given them to renovate GCSS, Ataba, in Andoni Local Government Area was expended without any work done on the school.
In the same vein, the committee directed Multisolid Construction Res Ltd, AB-Fabal Services Ltd, HBekel Global Services Ltd, Avomee Global Services Ltd, Mae International, XKlisive Image Line Services, and Goody’s Sunny Global Services to appear July 6 to explain what they did with a N242million collected to renovate GCSS, Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
Similarly, Kursco Nig Ltd, Salamander Investment Ltd, ING International Ltd, Apo-Biz Venture Ltd, Arod Investment Company Ltd, and the Reach Integrated Services are to explain what they did with a totl sum of N98million they collected from government to renovate CSS, Obonoma in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area on July 6.
Also on the same day, Intersect system Ltd, Josiah Jacob Nig Ltd, Etelbi Nig Ltd, Nyeseni Integrated Services, Husbani Integrated Services Ltd, and Cosini Nig Ltd are to tell the committee where they spent a total N95million they collected to renovate CSS, Ido in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
The Tide further learnt that Harial Nig Ltd, Valine Nig Ltd, Fredat Investment Ltd, Omab Tech Services Ltd, Harold & Julius Investment Ltd and Bams Nig Ltd are to appear before the committee on July 7 to give details of how they expended a total N234million they collected to renovate CSS, Abalamabie in Bonny Local Government Are.
On the same day, Dear Maijaja & Co Ltd, Frimabo Nig Ltd, Sakim Nig Ltd, First Didi & Sons and BMS Nig Ltd will guests of the committee to explain how they spent N163million on GTC, Tombia in Degema Local Government Area that has not been renovated.
For GSS, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area, Alspace Contrat & Logistics Ltd, Movicks Services Ltd, Abhili Nig Ltd, Nyimejire Enterprises Nig Ltd, Bedomon Resources Nig Ltd, and Nemax Services Ltd are to explain on July 7, where N105.3million they collected to renovate the school went.
The Tide investigations revealed that 10 companies are to explain on July 13, where a total sum of N229million the collected to renovate GGS Umuola in Etche Local Government Area disappeared to.
Also six companies are to appear on July 13 to account for N189million they collected from government to renovate CHS, Ibaa in Emohua Local Government Area while eight other companies, will on the same day, give account of N245million they collected to renovate CSS, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area.
In Ikwerre Local Government Area, six companies are to account for N225million they took to renovate GSS, Omerelu on July 14 while nine others are to explain how they spent N253million given to them to renovate BMGS, Bori in Khana Local Government Area.
Five companies are to account for N80.1million given them to renovate CSS, Rumuokurushi in Obio/Akpor while another five firms will explain what they did with N81million they took to renovate GCSS, Opobo, CHS, Nkoro and CSS, Opobo in Opobo/Nkoro.
Also, five firms apiece are to account for N72million and N67million they were given to renovate GSS, Ogu and NSS, Okrika in Ogu/Bolo and Okrika LGA, respectively.
Furthermore, Six firms that took N141million for CSS, Amaji in Omuma LGA, and Seven others that took N224million to renovate GGSS, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA are to account for same on July 21.
For GSS, Oyibo, LGA, six firms are to account for N243million while in 12 others are to explain what happened to N495.5million they took to renovate EHS, Borikiri and GGSS, Oromenike in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
Nine companies are to explain how they expended N225million the collected to renovate GSS, Kpite in Tai LGA on July 27, 2016.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described as shocking and wicked the many cases of uncovered diversion of funds meant for the rehabilitation of dilapidated public schools in the state under the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Chairman of the state PDP, Bro Felix Obuah, made this observation while reacting to the published list of persons invited by the state Senior Secondary Schools Board for explanations over monies received from the immediate past administration but not used for the projects so awarded and some, collected without project sites.
The state PDP chairman explained that it was more worried that a government that made so much noise about giving the best education the Rivers children could condone such recklessness, and allowed monies earmarked to renovate the schools and provide the right atmosphere for studying frittered away with careless abandon.
While enjoining the state government not to limit its searchlight on the mess in the education sector, Obuah said this is the kind of fraud the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be going after with a view to recovering the loots and bringing to book the culprits.
The state PDP chairman, however, regretted that rather than spread its dragnet for such fraudsters to sanitize the society, the anti-graft agency was busy haunting opponents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), innocent citizens, most of whom have spent the better part of their lives in service to the country.
Notwithstanding the collaboration between those responsible for the parlous state of public schools and the general looting of Rivers State treasury and the anti-corruption agents, the Rivers State Government should not leave any stone unturned in exposing illegalities discovered anywhere in the state under the administration of Amaechi and those behind them no matter the social status of their perpetrators, Obuah urged.
He, therefore, urged all those implicated in the ghost contracts and looting in Rivers State to do the needful, by being ready and willing to refund the stolen funds and save the state further waste of scarce resources on litigations.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

3 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.