The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.

The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.

Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.

The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.

With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.

He listed the projects to include, “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. 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,” he added.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.

She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.

The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.

On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.

“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.

Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC)   says it has approved  N28 billion for the procurement of meters for all outstanding unmetered Band A customers at no cost.

This announcement was contained in the Order on the Operationalisation of “Tranche B” of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) issued by  NERC and signed by its Vice Chairman Musiliu  Oseni and Commissioner Legal, Licensing and  Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye,

According to the order, the funds approved under Tranche B of MAF scheme apart from intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers would also focus on expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B

” The N28 billion  shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers.

” While also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

“Schedule 1 provides the detailed breakdown of the funds available to each DisCo for the purchase of end-use customer meters. All the meters to be procured and installed under the MAF framework shall be provided at no cost to the customers,”he said.

The commission said that the order seeks to establish a clear and transparent framework for the implementation of Tranche B of the MAF scheme.

It also said that the order seeks to define the eligibility requirements and obligations of DisCos and  Meter Assert Provider (MAP) in accessing and utilising funds under Tranche

“It prescribes the terms of financing, repayment, and utilisation of funds under the scheme.

“It also sets out the monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements to ensure accountability, efficiency and transparency in the deployment of MAF funded meters.

”Provide operational guidelines and conditions applicable to participating entities to safeguard the integrity of the MAF scheme, ”it said.

Giving breakdown of the releases of funds accrued under MAF, NERC explained that in April 2024, out of the accrued sum of N21,864,851,725, it released the  N21 billion to the DisCos for the procurement of meters under tranche A of the MAF scheme.

It added, ‘The latest  being  the N28 billion released under tranch B of the MAF   scheme.”

According to the order, NESI is expected to mobilise significant capital investments for metering through the revenue streams created under the MAF framework.

”There is an urgent and compelling need to accelerate the closure of the metering gap for all customers currently classified under Tariff Band A to safeguard revenue protection and enable effective demand-side management, ”it said.

National Office of The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has rated the implementation of the project high in Rivers State.

National Coordinator, Alhaji Aminu Muhammed, said this at the RAAMP sector reform workshop in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Aminu Muhammed who was represented by RAAMP National procurement specialist, Engr Irabor Emmanuel, said Rivers State had fulfilled all conditions except one, stressing that the only condition remaining was the drafting of a bill for the implementation of the program.

According to him, Rivers State has a standard office for housing RAAMP, also adequate staffing to ensure effective implementation of the project, adding that what is left is the drafting of two important bills.

He stressed the need for sustainable plan that would be backed up with financing, and urged stakeholders to come up with decisions that would ensure the effective implementation of the project in the state.

Speaking, a World Bank consultant, Graham Smith, said the RAAMP  will embark on the repair of several roads, especially the trunk B and trunk C roads for the easy evacuation of agricultural produce.

He said 419 km of such roads had been identified and earmarked for repairs, adding that the cost  will run into billions of naira.

In his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme formally took off in Rivers State on the 31st of July, 2024, following the expression of interest by the State Governor and acceptance by the National RAAMP Office.

He said since then, his team had been working tirelessly to meet all the conditions required to access support from development partners which include The World Bank, the French Development Agency and The Islamic Bank.

“RAAMP is more than a project, it’s about connecting lives, empowering communities and driving inclusive growth across Rivers State”.

He said the project will open up “our rural roads, link farmers to market, boost agricultural productivity, reduce post harvest losses and strengthen local economies.

“It will also build the capacity of our institutions to maintain road assets and attract international funding support to ease the pressure on our state budget.”

Kpakol said  his team had made significant progress from setting up institutions and conducting data collection and road inventory to carrying out out sensitization across the 23 local government areas as well as developing the road sector reform strategy operational manuals.

He said the workshop would provide opportunity to review and harmonize these efforts, align the policies with global best practices and ensure the long term sustainability of rural roads through proper maintenance, financing and governance.

“As we deliberate today, I encourage everyone to share ideas freely with one goal in mind, building sustainable, efficient and inclusive rural roads sector that transforms livelihood and drives economic growth across Rivers state,” he said.

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, non-governmental organizations, farmers, etc.

John Bibor