The Rivers State Government has announced the cancellation of all ongoing procurement and tender activities previously initiated by its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika, explained that the move follows the Supreme Court’s decision upholding a prior judgment by the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024.
According to Worika, the state’s current administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has mandated all MDAs involved to promptly refund any tender fees collected from contractors during the now-cancelled processes.
“The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, directed that all affected MDAs must refund tender fees paid by contractors during the period in question,” the statement read.
He emphasized that the reimbursement must be completed without delay, even as the government works on finalizing a comprehensive spending plan for the state.
The statement concluded by assuring the public that detailed information regarding future procurement guidelines and fiscal policies would be made available in due time.