Umahi wants contractor arrested for failing to complete road despite receiving N14 billion

Minister of Works David Umahi has ordered the arrest of the managing director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over allegations of failing to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite receiving N14 billion from the Federal Government. The directive came during an on-site inspection of the expressway, where Umahi expressed frustration over the poor quality of the road and the contractor's incomplete work. According to reports, Hartland had been tasked with completing the section from Summit Junction to a bridge, including channelisation and hydraulic structures, but had only finished approximately 40 percent of the agreed tasks. The minister stated that the company had received the full amount of funding but had not fulfilled its contractual obligations. During the inspection, Umahi directed ministry officials to locate and arrest the managing director of Hartland Nigeria Limited. He also instructed officials to retrieve detailed information regarding the contractor’s payments and certificates for all ongoing projects. The minister emphasized that the ministry would take legal action against Hartland if the company did not meet its commitments. Additionally, he ordered the ministry’s officials to contact the banks involved in the project to recover the funds and conduct a thorough review of the contractor’s financial records. Umahi also ordered an immediate inspection of both bridges on the affected section of the expressway and assessed one kilometer of the road to identify necessary measures to alleviate traffic congestion. He criticized contractors for their negligence, stating that minor interventions could have prevented the current hardships faced by motorists. The minister directed ministry controllers nationwide to ensure that all contractors maintain the quality of roads under construction, regardless of whether payments were still pending. In addition to addressing the issues with Hartland Nigeria Limited, Umahi issued directives against unauthorized dredging activities along roads under the ministry’s jurisdiction. He warned that anyone engaging in such activities would face immediate arrest. The minister also ordered another contractor, TCCCC, to implement drainage solutions along a bypass where its construction had reportedly led to erosion near residential areas. Although the government had not yet made payment to TCCCC, the minister stressed that the company was still responsible for preventing damage to local properties. Umahi reiterated that the condition of the road was unacceptable and that even small expenses, such as N20,000 or N50,000, could have resolved some of the problems. He condemned the current state of the infrastructure and vowed to take decisive action against any contractor found guilty of similar lapses. The minister also directed officials to investigate complaints related to erosion and ensure that appropriate measures were taken to protect residents' homes. The incident highlights growing concerns within the federal government about the performance of contractors and concessionaires involved in major road projects in the South-South region. Recent reports indicate that the Benin-Asaba corridor has experienced severe traffic congestion, prompting urgent interventions and a reassessment of road management practices. In response, Umahi has given the CCECC firm an ultimatum to repair damaged sections of the Benin-Asaba Highway within 14 days. Furthermore, during the latest inspection, the minister ordered immediate actions to address vandalism of components of the Second Niger Bridge and erosion around the structure. These included replacing vandalized bolts, steel members, and expansion joints on the bridge, as well as installing solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras to enhance security and monitoring. The measures aim to improve safety and efficiency on critical transportation routes.