Umahi orders arrest of Hartland MD over N14bn Benin-Onitsha Road project

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the immediate arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the contractor’s alleged failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite receiving about N14 billion for the project.

Umahi issued the directive during an inspection of federal road projects along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State, where he expressed anger over the condition of the road and the hardship caused to motorists by the delayed work.

The minister said Hartland was engaged to complete the stretch from Summit Junction to Head Bridge, including channelisation and hydraulic structures, but had delivered only about 40 per cent of the agreed scope.

Umahi said the Federal Government had released funds to the contractor on the understanding that the 11-kilometre section would be completed.

“Hartland, we paid them up to N14 billion. When we paid them that money, we reached an agreement that they would use it to complete 11 kilometres from the Summit Junction to this bridge, including the channelisation and hydraulic structures,” he said.

“But today, they have completed only about 40 per cent of the agreed work. So, I recalled the MD to discuss with him and ask them to return to site. I am going to look for him and arrest him. Controller, you should look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him,” Umahi added.

The minister also directed officials of the Ministry of Works to begin moves to recover funds paid to the contractor and ordered a review of Hartland’s payment records and certificates across its federal projects.

He warned that the company would face sanctions over its performance on the road project.

Umahi also ordered that the approaches to the Head Bridge be filled immediately to ease the traffic congestion and suffering experienced by motorists.

“Look at the kind of mess we are having; even to do small filling on the road, look at the kind of traffic jam in this location because of the wickedness of our contractors,” he said.

He directed the use of stone-base materials to repair sections that could be addressed immediately and warned Federal Controllers of Works against allowing road projects to deteriorate into impassable sections.

“Let me give a sound warning to all our controllers: if a project is going on, whether there is payment or not, you cannot allow the situation of the road to be like this,” the minister said.

Umahi further directed the arrest of contractors whose road projects leave sections impassable, as well as individuals involved in illegal dredging along road corridors.

The minister’s latest action comes amid mounting concern over the condition of the wider Benin-Asaba Expressway, a 125-kilometre corridor that is being handled under a 25-year concession arrangement.

Earlier this week, Umahi criticised the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) over the slow pace of work on the corridor and ordered measures to ease traffic congestion.

He subsequently asked the concessionaire to write to the Federal Government if it wanted its contract terminated, while directing that blockages on the road be removed to restore traffic flow.

The minister had also ordered Federal Controllers and engineering representatives to arrest contractors found completely removing asphalt from existing roads without appropriate measures to maintain traffic flow.

During the latest inspection, Umahi also raised concerns over the vandalisation of critical components of the Niger Bridge, including bolts, steel members and expansion joints.

He ordered the immediate replacement of the damaged components and directed the installation of solar-powered lighting and CCTV cameras to strengthen surveillance and security around the bridge.

The government also plans to resurface the old Niger Bridge, with the work expected to be carried out at night to minimise disruption to traffic.