CurrentReport Blog Port Harcourt, Rivers State – In a significant move to bolster infrastructure and healthcare facilities, the Rivers State Executive Council has sanctioned contracts worth N74.9 billion. These contracts encompass a broad range of developments, including the reconstruction of the State House of Assembly Auditorium, the construction of the Kalaibiama/Epellema Road, and the completion of four crucial zonal hospitals. The approval also includes the renovation of Bonny General Hospital, the upgrade of Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, and the construction of a new General Hospital in Rumuigbo, located in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Key Projects and Financial Commitments
- State House of Assembly Auditorium: Allocated N19.57 billion, this project involves the reconstruction of the demolished auditorium in Port Harcourt. The aim is to transform it into one of the premier assembly complexes in Nigeria, reflecting the state’s commitment to modernizing its legislative infrastructure.
- Kalaibiama-Epellema Road: A substantial N29.04 billion is designated for the construction of the Kalaibiama-Epellema Road and bridge in the Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area. This project is expected to enhance connectivity and spur economic activities in the region.
- Healthcare Facilities: With a budget of N26.35 billion, the government is set to complete four zonal hospitals in Ahoada, Bori, Degema, and Omoku. These projects are pivotal to improving secondary healthcare services across the state.
- Bonny General Hospital Renovation: The renovation and upgrade of this facility are part of a broader strategy to enhance healthcare delivery in Bonny Island, ensuring residents have access to improved medical services.
- Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Rumuigbo: This hospital will undergo significant renovations and upgrades, providing better mental health services to the community.
- New General Hospital in Rumuigbo: A new facility is slated for construction, further expanding healthcare infrastructure in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Strategic Decision-Making
At a council meeting presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and attended by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, the council decided to cancel all previous contracts for the zonal hospitals. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, explained that fresh contracts will be awarded to capable contractors to ensure timely and competent completion of these projects. The council’s decisions were based on memos from the Ministry of Health, underscoring the urgent need to revitalize healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Oreh highlighted the importance of these projects in advancing healthcare delivery, stating, “We are thankful to the Rivers State Executive Council for approving the termination of the existing contracts and the awarding of new ones. This step is crucial for the completion of the Zonal Hospitals at Ahoada, Bori, Degema, and Omoku.”
Ensuring Excellence and Efficiency
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Projects, Dr. Roland Obed-Whyte, detailed the council’s approval for the reconstruction and furnishing of the Rivers State House of Assembly Auditorium Complex. He emphasized that the completed project would set a new standard for legislative buildings in Nigeria.
Engr. Ine Briggs, Acting Director General of the Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement (RSBOPP), assured that rigorous due diligence had been performed to ensure the cost efficiency and viability of these projects. The agency’s thorough scrutiny culminated in the issuance of certificates of no objection, affirming the projects’ alignment with state procurement standards.
