Rivers Goes After Ibas, Revokes His N134b Secretariat Contract, Demands Refund Of Mobilization Fee From Contractor

By Ayodele Oni

The Rivers State has taken step to revisit some of the actions initiated during the period of emergency rule in the state.

To this end, the state Executive Council has cancelled a N134 billion contract awarded by the past sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibokete Ibas (rtd).

The contract was for the reconstruction of the ageing State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt. The contract was awarded to CCECC during the period of emergency rule by Ibas.

The Council, which reached this decision on Thursday, at its meeting, also directed the company to refund the N20 billion mobilisation fee it has already received.

It also approved a six-man committee headed by the deputy governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, to evaluate and make recommendations for the construction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state to facilitate the conduct of external examinations.

The Council further directed the flood committee headed by the deputy governor to take immediate action to address flooding in the state and cautioned residents against blocking drainage channels.