The Works Minister accused the contractor of completing only 40 per cent of an 11-kilometre stretch despite receiving about N14bn from the Federal Government.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the contractor’s alleged failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite receiving about N14 billion.
Umahi gave the order on Friday during an inspection of the road, expressing dissatisfaction with the condition of the expressway and the contractor’s performance.
He said Hartland was paid to complete the stretch from Summit Junction to a bridge, including channelisation and hydraulic structures, but had delivered only about 40 per cent of the agreed work.
The minister directed the ministry’s controller to locate the company’s managing director and ordered officials to retrieve records of Hartland’s payments and certificates for all its projects.
He also directed the ministry to initiate steps to recover funds paid to the contractor if it failed to meet its contractual obligations.
Umahi further ordered officials to inspect bridges and sections of the road affected by traffic congestion and directed controllers nationwide to ensure contractors maintain roads under construction, regardless of outstanding payments.
He warned that contractors found carrying out unauthorised dredging or leaving road sections impassable could face arrest.
The minister also ordered another contractor, TCCCC, to immediately construct drainage channels along a bypass where construction activities had allegedly exposed nearby homes to erosion.
Umahi commended Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for compensating property owners affected by the road project and urged ministry officials to be more proactive in monitoring contractors and reducing hardship for motorists.