ICYMI: Why Minister for Works Ordered Arrest of Asaba-Onitsha Road Contractor

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the contractor’s failure to complete the 11-kilometre Asaba-Onitsha road project despite receiving about N14 billion.

The project runs from Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, to Head Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Umahi issued the directive during an inspection of the First Niger Bridge and adjoining road projects, expressing concern that Hartland had completed only about 40 per cent of the agreed work.

“On the Summit Junction to this Head Bridge, we gave it to the contractor called Hartland and we paid them, I think, up to N14 billion. We reached an agreement that they would finish the 11 kilometres from the Summit Junction to this bridge with the money and do the channelization and hydraulic structures. But today, they have done just about 40 per cent of the agreement,” Umahi said.

“I am going to look for him to arrest him. Controller, you look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him.”

The minister also directed officials to recover funds paid to the contractor through the banks and review all certificates and payments linked to the company’s projects.

He ordered immediate repairs on failed sections of the road around Head Bridge, which he said were worsening traffic congestion and hardship for motorists.

During the inspection, Umahi also raised concerns over the vandalisation of the First Niger Bridge, including the removal of expansion joints, bolts and steel components. He ordered the replacement of missing parts and immediate repair works.

To prevent further vandalism, the minister announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras along the bridge, with surveillance linked to officials working with the police.

“We are going to have solar lights fixed all through. We are going to have CCTV here, and the CCTV is going to be downloaded to your phone. We are going to appoint people that it will be downloaded to, liaising with the police, so that if we see anybody, day and night, we can act,” he said.

Umahi described vandalism as a national problem, saying, “This is not an APC problem. It is a national problem.”

He also directed action against illegal dredgers and contractors who abandon dangerous road sections without protecting motorists, while instructing contractors on the Asaba bypass to provide adequate drainage.

The minister commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for compensating property owners affected by the Second Niger Bridge access road.