The Rivers State Executive Council has taken key decisions in its first meeting since lifting the six-month state of emergency, including the cancellation of a major contract and a renewed focus on infrastructure, education, and job creation.
Presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, eight retained commissioners, and the Permanent Secretaries of Works and Education.
Following extensive deliberations, the Council revoked the ₦134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat Complex. The contract was initially approved during the emergency rule.
The Council also directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid and ordered a fresh bidding process for other revoked contracts in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas, previously advertised in February.
To advance digital learning and examination infrastructure, the Council approved a six-member committee chaired by the Deputy Governor to assess and recommend locations for new Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state.
In response to ongoing flood concerns, the flood management committee, also led by the Deputy Governor, was tasked with implementing immediate measures to curb flash flooding in affected communities. The Council warned residents against obstructing drainage channels and called for public cooperation to prevent future incidents.
Additionally, the Council approved initiatives targeting youth unemployment and announced plans to realign state policies in education, environmental protection, and job creation.
