Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Civil Engineering Construction Company over the contractor’s failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin–Onitsha Expressway despite receiving up to N14 billion in payments.
Umahi gave the order during a media briefing while on a road inspection tour of the project, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road.
The minister expressed dismay over the contractor’s performance, noting that only about 40 per cent of the assigned work had been completed.
The affected portion stretches from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge and involves channelisation as well as the construction of hydraulic structures.
According to Umahi, he had earlier reached out to the company’s managing director over the need for the contractor to return to the site, but was dissatisfied with the failure to resume work. HireGrant Writers
“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.
Following the directive, the minister ordered the ministry’s controller to locate the company’s managing director and ensure his arrest.
He also directed officials to begin the process of recovering funds already paid to the contractor.
Umahi further ordered an audit of Hartland Nigeria Limited’s payment records and certificates for all its projects, warning that appropriate sanctions would be imposed if the company was found to have violated its contractual obligations.
The minister said the agreement with Hartland covered the completion of the entire 11-kilometre stretch, including the channelisation and hydraulic works.
He described the progress of work as unacceptable and directed that the approaches on both sides of the Head Bridge be filled immediately.
During the inspection, Umahi also raised concerns over the vandalisation of vital components of the Second Niger Bridge, including bolts, steel members and expansion joints.
He warned that continued theft or removal of the bridge’s structural components could endanger motorists and potentially lead to a catastrophic incident.
The minister ordered the immediate replacement of the vandalised components and directed the installation of solar-powered lighting and closed-circuit television cameras to strengthen security around the bridge.
He added that designated officials of the ministry and security agencies would be given access to the CCTV system.
