Governor Fubara Cancels ₦134 Billion Secretariat Contract Awarded Under Ibas, Orders CCECC To Refund ₦20 Billion

The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked a ₦134 billion contract for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt, originally awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under the former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd.)

The decision, reached during the Council’s meeting on Thursday, effectively nullified the agreement made during the period of emergency rule in the state. Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee previously released for the project.

In the same meeting, the Council approved the establishment of a six-member committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, to identify suitable sites for the construction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state. These centres will be used for external examinations and other educational assessments.

The Deputy Governor was also tasked to lead the state’s Flood Control Committee to intensify efforts in managing flood-prone areas and to sensitize residents against blocking drainage channels.

Meanwhile, financial reports by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that Rivers State received ₦401.9 billion during the tenure of the former sole administrator, Ibas. The funds were allocated to the state through the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

In addition, the federal government reportedly released ₦36.6 billion in local government allocations for January and February 2025 to Ibas, covering 23 local councils whose funds were previously withheld from the now-reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

A breakdown of FAAC disbursements showed that in August 2025, Rivers State received ₦41.6 billion while local governments got ₦19.2 billion. In July, the state received ₦39 billion and LGAs ₦18.8 billion. The figures for June stood at ₦42.3 billion for the state and ₦18.8 billion for LGAs.

Other months also reflected substantial allocations:

• May 2025: ₦42.7 billion (state), ₦16 billion (LGAs)

• April 2025: ₦44.4 billion (state), ₦19.4 billion (LGAs)

• March 2025: ₦44.6 billion (state), ₦18.5 billion (LGAs)

Despite these inflows, Ibas had opposed calls for an investigation into his administration’s expenditures. Reacting to the Rivers State House of Assembly’s move to probe his financial management, he reportedly claimed that lawmakers lacked the authority to question him, arguing that they did not appoint him as the state’s sole administrator.

His comments were conveyed through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubu.