The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
During an inspection visit on Friday, Ibas described the progress of the project as “grossly abysmal” and far below expectations.
He criticised the contractor’s performance, stating that the execution is not in line with agreed timelines.
“The contractor needs to step up. Based on reports from the consultants and what I’ve seen today, the pace is simply unacceptable. They’re not moving fast enough, and that’s not good enough,” he said.
The remarks were contained in a statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers State Government.
In a bid to accelerate the project, Ibas directed the contractor to intensify efforts and ensure the project meets its deadline, warning that any further delays would not be tolerated.
“This is a strategic project. We must all be committed to ensuring timely delivery. I will be summoning the contractor for a meeting to realign our expectations and efforts,” he added.
The administrator also visited major sports facilities, including the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, and the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, to assess their condition and readiness to host sporting events.
He noted the impressive achievements of Rivers athletes in national and international competitions and emphasized the urgent need for upgraded sports infrastructure to support their development.
“Our teams represent us at continental tournaments, yet we lack the facilities to host matches locally. That needs to change,” Ibas said. “We are here to explore how to fix that.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and infrastructure development, Ibas pledged to restore sports facilities across the state to global standards, enabling local athletes to thrive.
His visit underscores the Rivers State Government’s renewed focus on accountability, timely project delivery, and the enhancement of critical infrastructure.