Umahi Orders Arrest of Contractor, Moves to Repair Niger Bridge

ONITSHA — The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Ltd. over the company’s alleged failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite receiving about N14 billion for the project.

Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of federal road and bridge projects along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor.

He said Hartland was contracted to complete the section from Summit Junction in Asaba to Head Bridge in Onitsha, including channelisation and hydraulic structures, but had completed only about 40 per cent of the agreed work.

“Hartland, we paid them up to N14 billion. When we paid them that money, we reached an agreement that they would use it to complete 11 kilometres from the Summit Junction to this bridge, including the channelisation and hydraulic structures.

“But today, they have completed only about 40 per cent of the agreed work. So, I recalled the MD to discuss with him and ask them to return to site. I am going to look for him and arrest him. Controller, you should look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him,” Umahi said.

The minister also directed officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to commence moves to recover funds paid to the contractor and ordered an audit of Hartland’s payment records and certificates across its projects.

He warned that the company would face sanctions if found wanting and directed that the approaches to the Head Bridge be filled immediately to ease traffic congestion.

Umahi also inspected the ongoing 17.5-kilometre access road to the Second Niger Bridge, commending the Chinese firm handling the project and assuring it of continued government funding.

At the First Niger Bridge, the minister expressed concern over the vandalism of critical components, including bolts, expansion joints, iron bars and an overhead steel member.

He directed the immediate replacement of the missing and damaged components and ordered welding repairs to commence.

Umahi said the government would install closed-circuit television cameras and solar-powered streetlights on the bridge to strengthen surveillance and deter further vandalism.

“We will fix solar streetlights and CCTV on this bridge and that will be transmitted to your phone and also linked to the police, so that if we see anyone who comes here to vandalise the bridge, we will pick them up,” he said.

The minister also announced plans to resurface the First Niger Bridge with asphalt, saying the maintenance work would be carried out at night to minimise disruption to motorists, with the bridge temporarily closed during the exercise.

Addressing concerns about movement or vibration on the bridge, Umahi explained that such movement was associated with its bearings and did not necessarily indicate structural failure.

“People have said the bridge is shaking but that is because of the bearing and every bridge shakes. As for this bridge, there is so much dead load on the bridge because of the asphalt,” he said.

He further inspected erosion-affected areas around the Second Niger Bridge and directed immediate remedial works.

Umahi also warned against illegal sand excavation around the bridge, directing officials to arrest anyone found engaging in the activity.

On the deteriorating sections of the Benin-Agbor road, the minister accused concessionaires of frustrating previous efforts by the Federal Government to rehabilitate failed portions of the highway.

He said the government was exploring options to restore the affected sections and improve movement along the corridor.

Umahi Orders Arrest of Contractor, Moves to Repair Niger Bridge