The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has ordered that qualified indigenous contractors take over the troubled 43-kilometre Aba–Port Harcourt road project, currently managed by China Civil Engineering Construction Company Limited (CCECC).
This directive follows the minister’s inspection on October 19, 2025, which revealed the contractor’s failure to comply with new federal road construction standards, leading to the road’s near-collapse.
Umahi announced that a 14-day notice of termination would be served to CCECC, citing repeated warnings and unsatisfactory responses from the company. “The Port Harcourt-bound section will no longer be handled by CCECC.
We will immediately engage indigenous contractors to continue work while we secure funds for the project,” he said.
The minister emphasised that the contractor must properly repair the binder layer at their own cost within the notice period. Failure to do so will result in termination. He also condemned the unacceptable practice of laying binders without the required wearing courses, which violates the ministry’s new construction codes.
In contrast to the challenges with CCECC, Umahi commended Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited for their impressive progress on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway project, which has reached 85 per cent completion.
He urged regular site inspections to detect and address potential issues early.
Highlighting the wider road infrastructure challenges inherited by the government, the minister reaffirmed the Renewed Hope administration’s commitment to enforcing high construction standards to deliver safe and durable roads across Nigeria.
“If you get to Port Harcourt end, which they did about two years or thereabout, the entire road has almost totally failed. We have been writing them to maintain this road. They have refused, and so I have to take responsibility and make a decision,” the minister said.
“Number one, the Port Harcourt bound is no longer going to be done by CCECC. I will direct the ministry of Works to scout out for very qualified indigenous contractors to handle the Port Harcourt-bound. They should be the contractor that will start work immediately while we sort out funds for them.
Number two, for the site handled by CCECC, they should issue them 14 days’ notice of termination of the job. After 14 days, if they fail to mill out the binder and replace it properly, the job will be terminated; they have to initiate it; they have to commit to doing that. Even if they are going to do it during the dry season, they have to maintain the ones that they have done and they put in writing that they’re going to mill out the binder at their own cost, and then be able to put a new binder, which we have paid for,” he pointed out.
Umahi restated that laying binders without wearing courses was unacceptable and went against the new standards of road construction under his leadership.
In a more positive development, the minister commended Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited for their impressive work on the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba Rail/Road Crossing) in Abia State. The 56-kilometre project has now reached 85 per cent completion.
“They are one of our best — the first five. Even though we want them to maintain the completed section from Aba to Umuahia, they’re working very hard. The controller is also doing very well. I wish the controller to visit all the projects of the Federal Government in Abia State at least once a week, so that if there is a problem of impending danger or cost, you let us know,” he noted.
Reflecting on the broader state of Nigeria’s roads, Umahi acknowledged the problematic condition of several inherited projects across the country but assured that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made them a top priority.
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enforcing strict construction standards nationwide to ensure Nigerians enjoy safe, high-quality, and lasting road infrastructure.
