Umahi Orders Arrest of Hartland MD Over Abandoned Asaba-Onitsha Road

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has 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 affected road stretches from Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, to Head Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Umahi gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection of the First Niger Bridge and adjoining road projects, expressing anger over what he described as the contractor’s slow pace of work and abandonment of the project.

According to the minister, Hartland had completed only about 40 per cent of the scope agreed with the Federal Government despite receiving substantial payment.

He said the contractor was expected to complete the 11-kilometre stretch, including channelisation and hydraulic structures, with the funds already released.

“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 channelisation and hydraulic structures. But today, they have done just about 40 per cent of the agreement,” Umahi said.

The minister subsequently directed officials of the Ministry of Works to locate and arrest the company’s Managing Director.

“I’m going to look for him to arrest him. Controller, you look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him,” he ordered.

Umahi also directed the ministry to recover funds paid to the contractor through the banks and ordered a comprehensive review of all certificates and payments associated with the company’s projects.

He further ordered immediate repairs to failed sections of the road around Head Bridge, noting that the deteriorating condition of the route was worsening traffic congestion and causing hardship for motorists.

The minister, who was accompanied by the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, and senior ministry officials, also expressed concern over the vandalisation of critical components of the First Niger Bridge.

He disclosed that vandals had removed expansion joints, bolts and steel components from the bridge, including an overhead steel component considered vital to its structure.

According to him, the extent of the damage was greater than initially portrayed on social media, necessitating urgent remedial action.

Umahi directed officials to weld damaged components that could still be salvaged and replace missing steel and bolts. He also ordered immediate milling and asphalt works on affected portions of the bridge.

Addressing concerns over the movement or shaking of the bridge, the minister explained that such movement did not automatically indicate structural failure, noting that bridges were designed with bearings to allow controlled movement.

He, however, said the heavy dead load resulting from asphalt would be addressed as part of the repair works.

Umahi disclosed that the government was considering restricting vehicular movement on the bridge at night to enable repair works, with traffic allowed during the day to minimise disruption to motorists.

To curb further vandalism, the minister announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras along the bridge.

He said the surveillance system would be linked to designated officials working with the police to monitor the facility and respond promptly to suspicious activities.

“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.

The minister described vandalism of public infrastructure as a national problem rather than a political issue, urging Nigerians to protect government facilities.

“This is not an APC problem. It is a national problem,” Umahi said, condemning the theft of iron components from roads, bridges, parapets and other public infrastructure.

He said the Ministry of Works could not deploy personnel to guard every road and bridge across the country, stressing the need for citizens to take ownership of public assets.

Umahi also directed ministry controllers to arrest persons involved in illegal dredging and contractors who abandon dangerous sections of roads without putting adequate safety measures in place.

On the Asaba bypass, the minister ordered contractors to provide proper drainage on both sides of the road to prevent erosion and protect adjoining properties.

He commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for compensating property owners affected by the Second Niger Bridge access road, describing the gesture as an indication of commitment to the welfare of residents and the timely completion of the project.

Umahi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rehabilitating critical road infrastructure across the country, despite the challenges confronting the sector.

He warned contractors handling government projects that they would be held accountable for their performance and assured Nigerians that the government would take firm steps to ensure public projects deliver value.

The minister also inspected a deteriorating section around the third abutment of the Second Niger Bridge following concerns raised by a social media user.

Umahi commended the individual for alerting the Ministry of Works, saying the prompt report enabled officials to inspect the affected section and commence steps towards addressing the problem.