Umahi vows accountability for abandoned projects

…orders urgent repairs on First Niger Bridge

ASABA — In a renewed push to ease the hardship faced by Nigerians over deteriorating road infrastructure and ensure accountability in the execution of public projects, the Federal Government has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the alleged abandonment of the Asaba-Onitsha road project despite receiving about N14 billion from government.

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, who issued the directive during an inspection of the First Niger Bridge and adjoining road projects, also ordered officials of the Ministry of Works to commence the recovery of funds already paid to the contractor through the banks.

The minister further directed a comprehensive review of all certificates and payments associated with the company’s projects, warning that contractors entrusted with public funds must deliver projects according to agreed specifications, timelines and standards.

The affected project covers the approximately 11-kilometre stretch from Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, to Head Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Umahi expressed disappointment over the slow pace of work, noting that Hartland Nigeria Limited had completed only about 40 per cent of the work agreed with the Federal Government.

According to him, the contractor was engaged to complete the entire 11-kilometre stretch, including channelisation and hydraulic structures, with funds already released by the government.

“On the Summit Junction to this Head Bridge, we gave it to the contractor called Hartland and we paid them, I think, up to N14 billion.

“We reached an agreement that they would finish the 11 kilometres from the Summit Junction to this bridge with the money and do the channelisation and hydraulic structures.

“But today, they have done just about 40 per cent of the agreement,” Umahi said.

The minister subsequently directed the Controller of Works to locate and arrest the company’s Managing Director.

“I am going to look for him to arrest him. Controller, you look for the MD of Hartland and arrest him,” he ordered.

Umahi’s action underscores the Federal Government’s determination to move beyond the release of funds and award of contracts to ensuring that projects are actually delivered for the benefit of Nigerians.

He said the government would no longer tolerate a situation where contractors receive substantial public funds but fail to execute projects to the agreed standard, stressing that public resources must translate into infrastructure that improves the lives of citizens.

The minister also raised the alarm over the vandalism of critical components of the First Niger Bridge, saying vandals had removed expansion joints, bolts and steel components from the structure.

He said the extent of the damage was more serious than initially portrayed on social media and required urgent intervention to safeguard the bridge and protect road users.

Umahi directed officials to weld damaged components that could still be salvaged and replace missing steel and bolts. He also ordered immediate milling and asphalt works on affected portions of the bridge.

To strengthen security around the facility, the minister announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras along the bridge.

The surveillance system, he explained, would be linked to designated officials working in collaboration with the police to enable prompt detection and arrest of vandals.

“We are going to have solar lights fixed all through. We are going to have CCTV here, and the CCTV is going to be downloaded to your phone.

“We are going to appoint people that it will be downloaded to, liaising with the police, so that if we see anybody, day and night, we can act,” he said.

Umahi described vandalism of public infrastructure as a national threat rather than a political issue, urging Nigerians to take ownership of critical infrastructure and assist government in protecting it.

“This is not an APC problem. It is a national problem,” he said.

He lamented that the Ministry of Works could not deploy personnel to every road and bridge across the country to guard against vandalism.

Addressing concerns over the condition of the First Niger Bridge, Umahi explained that movement or vibration of a bridge did not automatically signify structural failure.

He said bridges were designed with bearings that allow controlled movement, adding that the heavy dead load imposed by asphalt would be addressed as part of the repair works.

The minister disclosed that the government was considering restricting vehicular movement on the bridge at night to create sufficient working time for repairs, while allowing traffic during the day to minimise inconvenience to motorists.

He also directed ministry controllers to arrest persons involved in illegal dredging, as well as contractors who abandon dangerous sections of roads without providing adequate protection for motorists and other road users.

Umahi directed contractors handling the Asaba bypass to provide proper drainage on both sides of the road to prevent erosion and protect adjoining houses.

He commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for paying compensation to property owners affected by the access road to the Second Niger Bridge.

The minister said the governor’s action demonstrated concern for the welfare of affected residents and would help accelerate the project while reducing traffic pressure in Asaba.

He also inspected a failing section around the third abutment of the Second Niger Bridge following concerns raised by a social media user.

Umahi commended the individual for drawing the ministry’s attention to the development, saying the prompt report enabled officials to inspect the affected section and begin steps towards addressing the problem.

The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remained committed to rehabilitating critical road infrastructure across the country, despite the enormous challenges confronting the nation’s road network.

The latest directives, he said, were part of the broader effort to ensure that government investments in infrastructure produce tangible benefits for citizens and that contractors entrusted with public funds are held accountable for delivering on their obligations.