Rivers State Government Cancels N134bn Secretariat Project Awarded to Chinese Firm

By Diafa Doubra,

The Rivers State Government has officially terminated the ₦134 billion contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the construction of a new state secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced the cancellation, stating that the project, awarded under the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike, failed to follow proper procurement processes. He added that his administration would not continue with projects that lacked transparency or did not serve the best interests of the people.

Fubara emphasized that the government was committed to accountability and prudent use of public funds, noting that the secretariat contract was “outrageously inflated and not justifiable considering the state’s current financial priorities.”

According to government sources, the project site—originally expected to become a state-of-the-art administrative hub—has remained largely undeveloped despite billions of naira already released for preliminary work.

The governor disclosed that his administration plans to review and re-award the contract through a more transparent bidding process, ensuring that the project aligns with Rivers State’s economic realities and development agenda.

Observers believe the move is part of Fubara’s broader effort to audit major contracts awarded by the previous government and establish fiscal discipline within the state.