Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the alleged failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite the contractor reportedly receiving about ₦14 billion for the project.
Umahi issued the directive on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during an inspection of federal road projects along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in Delta State. The minister said only about 40 per cent of the contracted work had been completed, despite the funds released for the project.
The affected stretch runs from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge and includes channelisation and hydraulic structures. Umahi said the contractor had previously been contacted over its return to the site but had failed to resolve the situation.
The minister has now directed officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to locate the company’s managing director and take steps toward his arrest. He also ordered the ministry to begin recovering the funds paid to Hartland and conduct an audit of the company’s records across its projects.
The dispute centres on the level of work completed on the road compared with the amount reportedly paid to the contractor.
According to Umahi, the agreement required Hartland to complete the entire 11-kilometre section from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge, alongside associated drainage and hydraulic works. The minister said the project remained substantially incomplete despite the payment.
The minister described the situation as unacceptable and directed ministry officials to activate the contractor’s advance payment guarantee as part of efforts to recover the money.
The Federal Ministry of Works is also expected to examine Hartland’s financial and project documentation.
Key details of the dispute
- Contractor: Hartland Nigeria Limited
- Amount reportedly received: About ₦14 billion
- Road section: Approximately 11 kilometres
- Location: Summit Junction to Head Bridge
- Reported progress: About 40 per cent
- Minister’s directives: Arrest, fund recovery and audit
- Additional works: Channelisation and hydraulic structures
The government’s response signals a tougher approach toward contractors accused of failing to meet obligations on federally funded infrastructure projects.
Umahi did not limit his directive to the disputed Benin-Onitsha road section.
He ordered ministry officials to review Hartland’s payment records and certificates covering its other contracts with the Federal Ministry of Works. The review is intended to establish how much has been paid to the company across its projects and whether contractual obligations have been met.
The minister also warned that sanctions could follow if the audit establishes further breaches.
The broader review could therefore extend the dispute beyond the 11-kilometre road section currently under scrutiny.
For the government, the exercise could provide a clearer picture of the contractor’s performance and the financial exposure associated with its federal projects.
Alongside the enforcement measures, Umahi ordered immediate remedial work on the approach to the Head Bridge.
He directed officials to fill both sides of the bridge approach, highlighting concerns about the deteriorating condition of the road and the potential for further damage.
The instruction reflects the immediate transportation importance of the corridor, which carries traffic between communities and commercial centres across Delta and Anambra states.
The Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha route forms part of an important east-west transport connection, making delays or deterioration particularly significant for motorists and businesses that depend on the corridor.
The ministry’s immediate priority will therefore be to prevent further deterioration while determining how the unfinished contract will be handled.
Umahi’s inspection also brought attention to security and maintenance problems at the Second Niger Bridge.
The minister raised concerns about the alleged removal of critical components, including bolts, steel members and expansion joints. He warned that continued vandalism could compromise the structural integrity of the bridge.
He subsequently ordered the replacement of damaged components and called for stronger surveillance.
The proposed measures include:
- Replacement of vandalised bridge components.
- Installation of solar-powered lighting.
- Deployment of CCTV cameras.
- Access to surveillance feeds for designated ministry and security officials.
- Immediate remedial work on erosion around the bridge.
The government has also been examining problems on other sections of the Benin-Agbor corridor, where deteriorating road conditions have affected traffic movement.
Umahi further disclosed plans to resurface the old Niger Bridge with asphalt and replace vandalised bolts and nuts.
The rehabilitation work is expected to take place at night to limit disruption to road users. Temporary closure of the bridge will be required while the work is carried out.
The intervention comes as the Federal Government continues to address infrastructure challenges along the wider Benin-Asaba-Onitsha transportation corridor.
The condition of major roads and bridges in the region has significant implications for freight movement, passenger travel and economic activity.
The next phase of the Hartland dispute will depend on how quickly the ministry implements the directives issued by Umahi.
The immediate issues are the reported search for the company’s managing director, the activation of the advance payment guarantee and the audit of Hartland’s certificates and payment records.
However, an arrest directive does not by itself establish criminal liability. Any allegations against the contractor or its management would still have to be addressed through the appropriate legal and investigative processes.
For motorists and businesses using the corridor, the more immediate concern is whether the government can restore the unfinished road section and prevent further deterioration.
The outcome of the audit could also determine whether Hartland remains involved in federal road projects or faces additional sanctions.
