The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has threatened to order the arrest of 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 receiving about N14bn for the project.
Gatekeepers News reports that Umahi spoke on Thursday during an inspection of road infrastructure along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State, where he expressed displeasure over the contractor’s performance.
According to the minister, only about 40 per cent of the affected section, which runs from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge, had been completed.
The project includes channelisation and hydraulic structures.
Umahi said he had previously contacted the company’s managing director over the contractor’s return to site but expressed frustration over the firm’s failure to fulfil its obligations.
“I’ve called the MD to discuss their return to the site. I am going to look for him and have him arrested. I’m going to arrest him,” Umahi said.
He subsequently directed the ministry’s controller to locate the company’s managing director and initiate moves for his arrest.
The minister also ordered officials to commence the recovery of funds paid to the contractor and directed an audit of Hartland’s payment records and certificates across all its projects.
He warned that the company would face sanctions if investigations established that it had failed to meet its contractual obligations.
Umahi said the agreement with Hartland covered the completion of the entire 11km stretch, including the channelisation and hydraulic structures.
He described the level of work achieved as unacceptable and ordered that both sides of the Head Bridge approach be filled immediately.
Second Niger Bridge vandalism
During the inspection, Umahi also raised concerns over the vandalism of critical components of the Second Niger Bridge, including bolts, steel members and expansion joints.
He warned that the continued removal of essential bridge components could compromise the safety of the structure and potentially lead to a catastrophic incident.
The minister ordered the immediate replacement of the damaged components and directed officials to install solar-powered lights and closed-circuit television cameras to strengthen surveillance around the bridge.
He said designated officials of the ministry and security agencies would have access to the CCTV feeds.
Umahi also inspected erosion damage around the Second Niger Bridge and directed that remedial work commence immediately.
Benin-Agbor road
On the deteriorating sections of the Benin-Agbor road, the minister blamed concessionaires for frustrating efforts to rehabilitate failed portions of the route.
He said the Federal Government was exploring measures to restore smooth movement along the corridor.
Umahi also announced plans to resurface the old Niger Bridge with asphalt and replace vandalised bolts and nuts.
According to him, the rehabilitation work would be carried out at night to minimise disruption to motorists, with the bridge temporarily closed during the exercise.
