Revealed: The Real Reason Why Umahi Issued 14-Day Ultimatum To CCECC Over Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway Project

...Minister of Works fumes over "failed road,ÔÇØ moves to terminate contract and hand project to competent indigenous firm

The long-awaited rehabilitation of the Aba-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway has taken a dramatic twist as Nigeria's Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), over what he described as the firm's "poor performance and disregard for engineering standards.ÔÇØ

Umahi, during a recent inspection tour of the road, expressed deep frustration over the deteriorating condition of the Port Harcourt-bound lane, which was completed by the company barely two years ago. According to the Minister, the section of the highway "has almost totally failed,ÔÇØ despite the billions of naira already spent on the project.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Barr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Umahi directed that the contract for the Port Harcourt-bound section be descoped from CCECC and re-awarded to "a more competent indigenous contractorÔÇØ capable of meeting the Federal Government's standards.

"We have written repeatedly to CCECC to maintain this road, but they have refused. I have to take responsibility and act decisively,ÔÇØ Umahi stated.

"They will be given a 14-day notice of termination. If after that period they fail to mill out and replace the defective binder, the contract will be revoked.ÔÇØ

Umahi further revealed that CCECC must bear the cost of correcting the substandard portions of the project, insisting that the Federal Government would not tolerate wasteful expenditure or technical incompetence. He emphasized that all contractors handling federal projects must comply strictly with new road construction codes introduced by the ministry.

The Minister, however, commended Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited for maintaining high standards on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, describing their section of the work as "impressive and nearing completion.ÔÇØ

Umahi also took a broader view of Nigeria's road challenges, acknowledging that the Tinubu administration inherited several problematic projects nationwide. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained support towards transforming the country's road infrastructure, adding that the Ministry of Works would no longer tolerate inefficiency from any contractor-local or foreign.

"This administration is committed to value for money and quality service delivery. Any contractor that cannot meet our standards will be replaced immediately,ÔÇØ Umahi warned.

With this development, many Nigerians are watching closely to see whether Umahi's tough stance will mark the beginning of a new era of accountability and quality control in Nigeria's infrastructure projects.