PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – In a sweeping move, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has ordered the immediate cancellation of all ongoing procurement and tender processes across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The directive, announced in a government statement released Thursday, stems from a recent Supreme Court judgment and the lack of a valid Appropriation Law in effect during the affected period. This essentially invalidates all financial transactions conducted by MDAs without proper legislative approval.
Signed by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, the statement mandates all affected MDAs to promptly refund tender fees to the contractors who participated in the now-cancelled processes.
"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 has cancelled all procurement and tender processes carried out by MDAs during this period," the statement read.
This decision follows heightened legal and administrative scrutiny over Rivers State's finances. The Supreme Court ruling highlighted concerns about the legality of expenditures made in the absence of an approved budget.
The statement assured that a new state spending plan would be announced in due course, pending which, all unapproved financial activities are suspended. This move is expected to bring greater financial accountability and transparency to government operations in Rivers State.