The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked security agencies to arrest the managing director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the company’s alleged failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite allegedly receiving N14 billion for the project.
Mr Umahi gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection of road infrastructure along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State, according to a report by Channels Television.
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The minister expressed anger over the state of the road, particularly the section from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge, saying the contractor had completed only about 40 per cent of the work covered by the agreement.
The contract includes the construction of the 11-kilometre stretch as well as channelisation and hydraulic structures.
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‘I am going to look for him to arrest him’ – Minister
Mr Umahi said Hartland had been paid N14 billion but had failed to fulfil the terms of its agreement with the Federal Government.
“We paid them N14 billion. When I paid them that money, we reached an agreement; you’re going to finish 11km from the Summit Junction to this Head Bridge from the money I am paying you. And then do channelisation hydraulic structure. That’s what we agreed, but today they have just done about 40 per cent of the agreement,” he said.
The minister said he had previously contacted the company’s managing director to discuss his return to the construction site.
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“I called the MD to discuss with him for him to come back to the site. I am going to look for him to arrest him,” Mr Umahi said in a video posted on X.
Mr Umahi subsequently directed an official of the ministry, identified as “Engineer Musa,” to immediately intervene and ensure that the road, particularly the Head Bridge section, was filled to ease traffic.
‘This is wickedness’
Mr Umahi expressed concern over the condition of the road and the traffic congestion caused by the failed sections.
“Look at the kind of mess we are having even to do small filling on the road; that is wickedness,” he said while inspecting the road.
He also ordered the ministry to review Heartland’s payment records and certificates across its projects.
“They (contractors) have to bring down all their payments and all the certificates. Every one of their certificates in all the jobs, and we are going to sanction Heartland. This is not acceptable, but we’ll do something,” he said.
PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Hartland Nigeria Limited for comments at the time of filing this story.
The minister’s latest directive comes amid heightened federal government scrutiny of contractors and concessionaires handling major roads in the South-South.
READ ALSO: Umahi gives CCECC ultimatum to fix Benin-Asaba Highway
The Benin-Asaba corridor has recently witnessed severe traffic congestion and hardship for motorists, prompting the federal government to order emergency interventions and a review of road concession arrangements.
Mr Umahi has also directed CCECC to repair damaged sections of the Benin-Asaba Highway within 14 days, following complaints about the deteriorating condition of the road.
Channels Television reported that Mr Umahi, during the latest inspection, also directed immediate action to address vandalism of components of the Second Niger Bridge and erosion around the structure.
The minister ordered the replacement of vandalised bolts, steel members and expansion joints on the bridge and directed the installation of solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras to improve surveillance.
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