Minister demands refund of funds and threatens sanctions after contractor allegedly completes only 40% of work.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the company’s alleged failure to deliver an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite reportedly receiving about ₦14 billion for the project .
Umahi gave the directive on Wednesday during an inspection of road infrastructure along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State, expressing anger that the contractor had completed only about 40 per cent of the work despite receiving the funds .
The affected section, stretching from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge, includes channelisation and hydraulic structures . According to the minister, the agreement with Hartland was for the completion of the entire 11-kilometre stretch .
“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 .
Turning to the ministry’s Controller, he ordered: “Controller, look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him” .
Umahi also directed officials to begin moves to recover the money paid to the contractor. “Engineer Musa, tell the Directors of C&R to call up the APG immediately. You have to write to the banks to refund that money to us,” he ordered .
The minister described the contractor’s performance as unacceptable, saying: “Look at the kind of mess we are dealing with! Failing to do even simple filling on the road is pure wickedness” .
He directed that both sides of the bridge approach be filled immediately, adding: “By tomorrow morning, both sides of this head bridge must be filled” .
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the minister further ordered an audit of Hartland’s payment records and certificates across all its projects, warning that the company would face sanctions if found wanting. “They must submit all their payment records and certificates… Audit every one of their certificates across all jobs—we are going to sanction Hartland,” he said .
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria. Contact: info@cdanews.ng | www.cdanews.ng | +2348030980314 | 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
