The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has issued a 14-day termination notice to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over what he described as shoddy and substandard work on the Port Harcourt–Aba Road.
Umahi, who gave the directive during an inspection tour of ongoing federal road projects in Rivers State, expressed deep frustration over the near-collapse of the 43-kilometre dual carriageway, blaming the contractor for negligence and repeated disregard for engineering standards.
Standing on a visibly failed section of the highway, the Minister lamented that the project, inherited from the previous administration, had become a national embarrassment despite the Ministry’s continued funding to ensure its completion.
“We are at the Port Harcourt-bound Aba route being constructed by CCECC, which is on the verge of total collapse. This job was inherited, and since we came on board, we’ve been putting in funds to complete one carriageway,” Umahi stated.
He explained that the Ministry had earlier agreed with CCECC to use concrete on the shoulders and asphalt on the main carriageway to ensure longevity, but the company allegedly ignored the approved design. Instead, they laid binder courses over long stretches without completing the shoulders or applying the final wear coat — a shortcut that has already led to failures on portions completed barely two years ago.
Umahi said despite issuing over 20 warnings to the firm, CCECC had shown no improvement, prompting the Ministry’s decision to de-scope the Port Harcourt-bound section of the project and hand it over to competent indigenous contractors capable of meeting required standards.
The Minister warned that if CCECC fails to correct the defective portions at its own cost within the 14-day window, the Federal Government would not only terminate the project but also consider suspending the company’s operations on all its ongoing projects nationwide.
“I will direct the Ministry to scout for very competent indigenous contractors to handle the Port Harcourt-bound lane,” he said. “If CCECC fails to mill out the defective binder and replace it, they will face sanctions, including the termination of all their contracts across Nigeria.”
Umahi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to uphold quality assurance on all road infrastructure projects, warning contractors that compromise on standards will no longer be tolerated.
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