The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked security agencies to arrest the managing director of Hartland Nigeria Limited. This is due to the company's failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway. They allegedly received N14 billion for this project.
Umahi made this demand on Thursday during an inspection of roads along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State. This was reported by Channels Television.
The minister was upset about the road's condition, especially the part from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge. He stated that the contractor had only completed about 40 percent of the work agreed upon.
The contract involved building the 11-kilometre stretch, plus channelisation and hydraulic structures.
‘I will find him to arrest him’, Minister
Umahi stressed that Hartland had been paid N14 billion but did not meet its contract terms 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 with 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 percent of the agreement," he said.
The minister revealed that he had contacted the company's managing director to discuss returning to the construction site.
"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.
He then told an official from the ministry, known as “Engineer Musa,” to quickly step in and make sure that the road, especially the Head Bridge section, was filled to ease traffic.
‘This is wickedness’
Umahi showed concern about the road's state and the traffic jams caused by the unfinished sections.
"Look at the kind of mess we are having even to do small filling on the road; that is wickedness," he said while looking at the road.
He instructed the ministry to check Hartland’s payment records and certificates for all 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 Hartland. This is not acceptable, but we will do something," he said.
PREMIUM TIMES could not get through to Hartland Nigeria Limited for comments when this story was filed.
The minister's latest order comes as the federal government is scrutinizing contractors and concessionaires managing major roads in the South-South.
The Benin-Asaba corridor has faced serious traffic congestion and difficulties for drivers. This has led the federal government to call for emergency measures and reviews of road concession agreements.
Umahi has also instructed CCECC to fix damaged parts of the Benin-Asaba Highway within 14 days. This follows complaints about the road's worsening condition.
Channels Television reported that during the latest inspection, Umahi also ordered immediate action to tackle vandalism on the Second Niger Bridge and erosion around the area.
The minister ordered the replacement of vandalised bolts, steel parts and expansion joints on the bridge. He also directed the installation of solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras to enhance security.
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