Umahi Orders Arrest of Contractor Over Road Project Delay

On Friday, during an inspection of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway, Minister of Works David Umahi ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited due to the company's failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the road, despite receiving approximately ₦14 billion from the Federal Government. Umahi expressed anger over the poor condition of the road and the contractor's inadequate progress, stating that only about 40 percent of the work had been completed.

He instructed the ministry's controller to locate and arrest the managing director and mandated a review of all payments and certificates related to Hartland's projects. Umahi emphasized the need for immediate action to recover funds if the contractor did not fulfill its obligations and ordered inspections of the affected bridges and road sections to alleviate traffic congestion.

He also warned against unauthorized dredging activities along roads under the ministry's supervision.