Rivers State Cancels Procurement, Orders Refunds to Contractors

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has annulled all ongoing procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state. The decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling and the absence of an Appropriation Law for the period in question.

In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, Ibas explained that the cancellation was necessary to adhere to the court’s ruling, which upheld the Appeal Court decision in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024. This ruling, combined with the lack of an Appropriation Law, rendered the procurement processes invalid.

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Ibas further directed all MDAs that had initiated tender processes to refund the tender fees to contractors immediately. He emphasized that the refunds should take place without delay, pending the approval of a new spending plan for the state, which will be communicated in due course.

This move is expected to affect various state projects, as the government works to ensure compliance with legal and financial protocols before resuming procurement activities.