Port Harcourt – In a significant move to uphold legal and financial integrity, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has annulled all ongoing procurement and tender initiatives that were initiated by the previous administration led by Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The Administrator has also instructed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) engaged in any procurement activities for the fiscal year 2025 to promptly reimburse contractors for any fees that were previously collected.
This directive was detailed in a public announcement released on Thursday by Prof. Ibibia Worika, the Secretary to the State Government. The decision stems from a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld an Appeal Court decision regarding Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024, which highlighted the lack of a valid Appropriation Law for the current fiscal year.
The announcement stated, “In compliance with the Supreme Court ruling affirming the Appeal Court’s decision in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024, and in light of the absence of an Appropriation Law, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, announces to the public that all procurement and tender activities conducted by MDAs during this period are officially revoked.”
Furthermore, it mandated that all MDAs involved in recent tender processes for their projects must refund the respective tender fees to contractors without delay. “This directive will remain in force until a spending plan has been approved by the state, which will be communicated as soon as possible.”
The actions taken by the Sole Administrator aim to reestablish fiscal discipline in the state’s procurement procedures while ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
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