Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the company’s alleged poor performance on an 11-kilometre road project for which it reportedly received about N14 billion.
The directive came during Umahi’s inspection of road works along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State. The minister expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work and the current condition of the project.
According to Umahi, Hartland Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract to complete the 11-kilometre stretch from Summit Junction to the head bridge. The scope also covered channelisation and the construction of hydraulic structures. He stated that the company has completed only about 40 per cent of the work despite receiving the full funds allocated for the project.
The minister said he had personally contacted the managing director to discuss the company’s return to site, but the contractor had failed 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 declared.
He then instructed the Controller of Works in the area to immediately locate the managing director and effect the arrest. “Controller, look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him,” he ordered.
Umahi also directed officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to begin the process of recovering the funds paid to the company. He ordered the relevant departments to take steps that would compel the banks involved to refund the money, stressing that the agreement required the contractor to complete the entire 11-kilometre stretch.
He reiterated that the contract covered the road from Summit Junction to the head bridge, together with channelisation and hydraulic structures. “When I paid them that money, we reached an agreement: they were to finish 11 kilometres from Summit Junction to this head bridge with that money, as well as handle the channelisation and hydraulic structures. That was the agreement,” he said.
Expressing outrage that the company had failed to deliver the full project after receiving the funds, Umahi described the situation as unacceptable. “Today, they have only completed about 40 per cent of what was agreed upon,” he added.
The minister further criticised the contractor for the poor state of sections of the project, accusing it of neglecting even basic road filling. “Look at the kind of mess we are dealing with! Failing to do even simple filling on the road is pure wickedness,” he said. He ordered that both sides of the bridge approach be filled immediately and that the work be completed without delay. “By tomorrow morning, both sides of this head bridge must be filled,” he directed.
Umahi also ordered a comprehensive audit of all payment records and certificates issued to Hartland Nigeria Limited across its various projects. He warned that the company would face sanctions if the audit uncovered further irregularities. “They must submit all their payment records and certificates. Execute this instruction and report back to me. This is very important. Audit every one of their certificates across all jobs—we are going to sanction Hartland,” he said.
In addition, the minister raised concerns over the vandalism of critical components of the Second Niger Bridge, describing it as a serious threat to the safety of the strategic national infrastructure. He noted that bolts, steel members and expansion joints had been removed from sections of the bridge by vandals.
“We are not mad dogs. We can’t be suffering to fix these things while the public is busy removing them. It’s not possible. Where is the money to fix it?” he queried. Umahi warned that continued vandalism could compromise the structural integrity of the bridge and potentially lead to a major disaster if urgent action was not taken.
“The Ministry does not have an emergency fund to attend to this, and if this is not attended to, it can result in a catastrophic situation. I am visibly very angry about this situation, and it is unacceptable,” he said.
He consequently directed the immediate repair of all damaged components on the bridge and ordered enhanced security surveillance to prevent further vandalism. The minister also instructed the installation of solar-powered lighting and closed-circuit television cameras on the bridge, with access to the CCTV feeds to be provided to designated officials of the ministry and security agencies.
Umahi further inspected areas affected by erosion around the Second Niger Bridge and ordered immediate remedial work to protect the bridge and surrounding infrastructure.
