The Rivers State Government has nullified all procurement and tender processes undertaken by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), citing legal and budgetary concerns.
This directive was issued by the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, following a Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an Appropriation Law within the period in question.
A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, and released in Port Harcourt on Thursday, outlined the decision.
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“In adherence to the Supreme Court judgment upholding the Appeal Court ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 and in the absence of an Appropriation Law, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, wishes to notify the general public that all procurement and tender processes that were carried out by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies during the period are hereby cancelled,” the statement read.
The directive also mandated all MDAs that had conducted tender processes to refund collected fees to the affected contractors.
“Accordingly, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices are, by this special announcement, mandated to refund such tender fees to the respective contractors immediately, pending the approval of a spending plan by the state, which shall be notified in due course,” the statement added.
The statement read, “In adherence to the Supreme Court judgment upholding the Appeal Court ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 and in the absence of an Appropriation Law, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (rted) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, wishes to notify the general public that all procurement and tender processes that were carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies during the period are hereby cancelled.
“Accordingly, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices are, by this special announcement, mandated to refund such tender fees to the respective contractors immediately, pending the approval of a spending plan by the state, which shall be notified in due course.”
