Minister of Works David Umahi has ordered 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.
Umahi gave the order during an inspection of road projects along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State.
He said Hartland had received about ₦14 billion for the project but had completed only about 40% of the work.
The affected section runs from Summit Junction to Head Bridge and includes channelisation and hydraulic structures.
The minister said he had contacted the company’s managing director over the contractor’s return to the site but was unhappy with the lack of progress.
“I’ve called the MD to discuss their return to the site.
“I am going to look for him and have him arrested,” Umahi said.
He directed the ministry’s controller to locate the managing director and ordered officials to begin moves to recover money paid to the contractor.
Umahi also ordered an audit of Hartland’s payment records and certificates for all its projects, warning that the company would face sanctions if found to have failed in its obligations.
He said the agreement covered the entire 11-kilometre stretch and directed officials to immediately fill both sides of the Head Bridge approach.
During the inspection, Umahi also raised concerns over the vandalism of bolts, steel members and expansion joints on the Second Niger Bridge.
He ordered immediate replacement of the damaged parts and directed the installation of solar lights and closed-circuit television cameras to improve security.
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