The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ₦134 billion contract earlier awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex.
The decision was taken during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The project was initially awarded by the former Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), during the emergency administration.
Following the revocation, the Council directed the contractor to immediately refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee earlier paid for the contract.
The Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding process for four major projects, which include:
-
The renovation of the State Secretariat Complex;
-
The construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection; and
-
Reclamation works in several riverine communities across Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, the projects were previously advertised, but the bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration, with fees refunded to companies that had earlier purchased them.
With the revalidation process now underway, Ezekiel-Hart disclosed that a fresh bidding exercise would soon be advertised in national newspapers to enable competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
About the Author
