The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow progress of work at the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Complex project.
Describing the pace as “grossly abysmal” and far below expectations, Ibas voiced his concerns during an inspection tour of the project site along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, on Friday.
This was contained in a statement issued later that evening by the Administrator’s media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo.
According to Ibas, the contractor’s performance has not met agreed-upon timelines, with reports from project consultants further confirming inadequate progress.
“On the performance level right now, I think the contractor needs to do more,” he said.
“From the reports rendered by the consultants, they are not moving fast enough, and that is not good enough.
I am not satisfied with what I have seen. The pace of work is far below acceptable standards, and this is simply not good enough.”
In response, Ibas directed the contractor to intensify efforts immediately and ensure the project meets its scheduled deadline.
“This project is of strategic importance, and any further delays will not be tolerated.
We must all commit to doing what is necessary to meet the expectations of the people,” he added.
He further disclosed plans to summon the contractor for a high-level meeting to address delays, realign efforts, and ensure all parties remain accountable to their commitments.
In a related development, the Administrator also inspected major sports facilities in the state, including the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, and the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, to assess their readiness for hosting local and international events.
Speaking after the tour, Ibas highlighted the achievements of Rivers youths in national and continental sporting competitions and emphasised the need for modern, functional infrastructure to support their continued success.
“We have our state’s team participating in continental tournaments, yet we have to travel outside Rivers State to play home matches.
I am sure we can do something to change that. That’s precisely why we are here—to assess what can be improved,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising sports infrastructure, providing world-class training facilities for athletes, and positioning the state as a hub for major sporting events.
“Plans are underway to upgrade these facilities to better support local athletes and attract major tournaments to Rivers State,” Ibas stated.
“We remain focused on achieving infrastructure excellence, ensuring accountability, and delivering projects on time.”
