The Rivers State government has pledged to hold contractors accountable for delays and cost overruns in major infrastructure projects, Administrator Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has said.
Addressing a visiting House of Representatives oversight committee, Ibas cited the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, where the contractor received ₦150 billion – 77% of the contract sum – but failed to deliver, later requesting an 87% variation.
“Under my watch, the resources of Rivers State will be judiciously used, and contractors must abide by lawful agreements. There must be consequences,” he said.
The Administrator said oversight visits would cover projects including the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex reconstruction, the State Secretariat rehabilitation, the Mother and Child Hospital, the Peter Odili Cardiovascular and Cancer Diagnostic Centre, the Trans-Kalabari Road, and the Songhai Farm revival.
He added that the administration’s infrastructure priorities include projects with high social and economic returns in healthcare, agriculture, and transport, aimed at boosting food security, creating jobs, and expanding market access.
