By Muhammad Mamman
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has given a 14-day termination notice to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over what he described as poor execution of the Aba-bound section of the Aba–Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
Umahi also ordered that the project be descoped and re-awarded to a more capable indigenous contractor, citing persistent non-compliance with updated construction standards despite repeated warnings from the Ministry.
During an unscheduled inspection of the project, the Minister expressed frustration at the substandard quality of CCECC’s work—particularly the Port Harcourt-bound lane, which he said has already begun to deteriorate less than two years after completion.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Barr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Umahi said:
“If you visit the Port Harcourt end, completed around two years ago, the road has almost completely failed. We’ve written to them multiple times to carry out maintenance, but they’ve ignored us. So, I’m taking responsibility and action.”
He continued:
“Firstly, the Port Harcourt-bound lane is hereby descoped from CCECC. The Ministry will engage qualified local contractors to take over, and they must be ready to mobilise immediately while we finalise funding.
Secondly, CCECC is to receive a 14-day termination notice. If they fail to mill out and replace the defective binder layer within that period, their contract will be terminated.”
Umahi added that the company must provide written assurance that it will fix all defects at its own expense, regardless of seasonal conditions.
“They must maintain the sections already completed and guarantee in writing that they will remove and replace the faulty binder layer — which has already been paid for.”
However, the Minister praised Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited for their high-quality delivery on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, noting that their work is nearing completion and aligns with the Ministry’s standards.
Umahi also acknowledged the broader challenges posed by inherited road projects across the country and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support in transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
