EFCC Investigates N14bn Abandoned Road Project in Delta

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into the alleged abandonment of an 11-kilometre section of the Summit Junction-Asaba-Onitsha Head Bridge Road in Delta State, following the payment of approximately N14bn to the contractor, Hartland Nigeria Limited. An EFCC official confirmed that investigators visited the project site to assess its status.

The investigation was prompted by a petition from Rev David Ugolor, an activist and Publisher of The Common Good Letter, who urged the EFCC to look into the allegations regarding the award, funding, execution, and supervision of the road project. Minister of Works, David Umahi, expressed concerns on August 28 about the contractor's failure to deliver the project, stating that only about 40% had been completed.

Umahi threatened to call for the arrest of Hartland's Managing Director and demanded scrutiny of related certificates and the recovery of public funds if necessary. Ugolor's petition seeks an independent investigation to clarify the facts without presuming guilt.