•Minister of Works, David Umahi
The federal government has issued a 14-day termination notice to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Limited over alleged substandard work on the Aba-bound section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, gave the directive during an inspection visit to the project site, expressing concern that the current administration inherited many dilapidated roads and would not tolerate acts of sabotage or poor workmanship, reports The Guardian.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Barr. Uchenna Orji, Umahi said the government remains committed to enforcing new construction codes and regulations under the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure durable road infrastructure across the country.
According to the statement, Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi reprimanded the poor construction methodology deployed by China Civil Engineering Construction Company Limited on the rehabilitation works on the Aba-bound section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Contract No. 6252.
Umahi, who was on a routine supervision of ongoing projects across the South-South and South-East yesterday, Sunday, October 19, 2025, expressed displeasure over the contractor’s repeated non-compliance with the ministry’s new construction standards.
The minister described the 43-kilometre Aba–Port Harcourt section handled by CCECC as being on the verge of total collapse and directed that a 14-day termination notice be served on the company. He also ordered that the Port Harcourt-bound section of the project be removed from CCECC’s scope and re-awarded to a more competent contractor.
“If you get to the Port Harcourt end, which they did about two years ago, the entire road has almost totally failed. We have been writing them to maintain it, but they refused. I have to take responsibility and take a decision,” Umahi said.
“The Port Harcourt-bound section is descoped and will no longer be done by CCECC. I have directed the Ministry of Works to identify qualified indigenous contractors to handle that section. They must begin work immediately while we sort out funding,” he added.
Umahi warned that if CCECC fails to mill out and replace the binder course within 14 days at its own cost, the contract would be terminated. He stressed that applying binder layers without wearing courses was unacceptable.
Meanwhile, the minister commended the quality of work executed by Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited on the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba Rail/Road Crossing), Contract No. 6209, describing it as one of the best-performing projects. The 56-kilometre stretch, inherited by the present administration, is said to be 85 percent completed.
“They are one of our best contractors — in the top five. We even want them to maintain the completed section from Aba to Umuahia because they are working very hard,” Umahi said, urging the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State to monitor all federal projects weekly and report any issues promptly.
The minister acknowledged the poor condition of inherited road projects nationwide but assured that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is giving priority attention to road rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
“In Nigeria, all roads have become a priority because of the terrible condition the president inherited. But he is doing his best, and we are working with him to offer our best to the country. Roads and bridges remain the foundation of economic activities, and I believe we are lucky to have a president committed to infrastructure renewal,” Umahi added.
