…Minister demands refund of contract money
….Fumes over vandalism on Second Niger Bridge
ASABA — Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Wednesday ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Ltd over the alleged non-performance of an 11-kilometre road contract for which the company reportedly received about N14 billion.
Umahi gave the directive 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 minister said the contract covered the 11-kilometre stretch from Summit Junction to the head bridge, including channelisation and hydraulic structures.
He disclosed that he had previously contacted the company’s managing director to discuss its return to the site, but said the contractor had failed to meet its obligations.
“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 ministry 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 said the agreement with the contractor was for the completion of the entire 11-kilometre stretch, alongside the channelisation and hydraulic structures.
“When I paid them that money, we reached an agreement: they were to finish 11 kilometres from Summit Junction to this head bridge with that money, as well as handle the channelisation and hydraulic structures. That was the agreement,” he said.
“Today, they have only completed about 40 per cent of what was agreed upon,” he added.
Umahi 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.
“By tomorrow morning, both sides of this head bridge must be filled,” he ordered.
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. Execute this instruction and report back to me. This is very important. Audit every one of their certificates across all jobs—we are going to sanction Hartland,” he said.
Anger over Second Niger Bridge vandalism
Umahi also expressed outrage over the vandalism of critical infrastructure on the Second Niger Bridge, disclosing that bolts, steel members and expansion joints had been removed.
“We are not mad dogs. We can’t be suffering to fix these things while the public is busy removing them. It’s not possible. Where is the money to fix it?” he queried.
He warned that continued vandalism could compromise the safety of the bridge and lead to a catastrophic incident.
“The Ministry does not have an emergency fund to attend to this, and if this is not attended to, it can result in a catastrophic situation. I am visibly very angry about this situation, and it is unacceptable,” Umahi said.
He consequently directed the immediate repair of the damaged components, alongside enhanced security surveillance on the bridge.
The minister also ordered the installation of solar-powered lighting and closed-circuit television cameras, with access to the CCTV feeds to be granted to designated ministry officials and security agencies.
He further inspected erosion damage around the Second Niger Bridge and directed that remedial work commence immediately.
