Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the company’s alleged failure to deliver an 11-kilometer section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite allegedly receiving about ₦14 billion for the project.
Umahi spoke during an inspection of road infrastructure along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State, expressing displeasure that the contractor had completed only about 40 per cent of the work.
The affected section runs from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge and includes channelisation and hydraulic structures.
The minister said he had previously contacted the company’s managing director to discuss the contractor’s return to site but expressed frustration over the firm’s failure to meet 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 on Thursday.
He subsequently directed the ministry’s controller to locate and arrest the company’s managing director, while also ordering officials to commence moves to recover funds paid to the contractor.
Umahi further directed an audit of Hartland’s payment records and certificates across all its projects, warning that the company would face sanctions if found wanting.
According to the minister, the agreement with Hartland was for the completion of the entire 11km stretch, including the channelisation and hydraulic structures.
He said the level of work achieved so far was unacceptable and ordered that both sides of the Head Bridge approach be filled immediately.
During the inspection, Umahi also expressed concern 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 result in a catastrophic incident.
The minister ordered the immediate replacement of the damaged components and directed the installation of solar-powered lights and closed-circuit television cameras to improve surveillance. 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 works begin immediately.
On the deteriorating sections of the Benin-Agbor road, the minister blamed concessionaires for frustrating efforts to rehabilitate failed portions, saying the Federal Government was exploring measures to restore smooth movement along the corridor.
He also said the old Niger Bridge would be resurfaced with asphalt, while the vandalised bolts and nuts would be replaced.
The rehabilitation is expected to be carried out at night to minimise disruption, with the bridge temporarily closed during the exercise.
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