Minister Umahi Gives CCECC 14-Day Termination Notice Over Poor Handling Of Aba–Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has ordered the issuance of a 14-day termination notice to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for what he described as the company’s poor execution of the Aba-bound section of the Aba–Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.

Umahi, who expressed frustration over the contractor’s repeated failure to meet construction standards, also directed that the project be descoped and re-awarded to a more competent indigenous contractor.

Speaking during an on-the-spot inspection of the project, the Minister criticized the firm’s substandard work, particularly the Port Harcourt-bound lane, which he said had already deteriorated less than two years after completion.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Barr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Umahi stated that CCECC had ignored multiple warnings and reminders from the Ministry of Works to fix the deteriorating sections.

According to him, “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 to them to maintain this road, but they have refused. So, I have to take responsibility and make decisions. The Port Harcourt-bound lane is descoped — it will no longer be handled by CCECC.”

The Minister further directed the Ministry to identify and engage capable indigenous contractors to take over the project, stressing that mobilization should begin immediately while funding arrangements are finalized.

He added, “For the section currently handled by CCECC, they should be issued a 14-day notice of termination. If after 14 days they fail to mill out and replace the defective binder, the job will be terminated.”

Umahi emphasized that the contractor must bear full responsibility for rectifying the defects at its own cost, even if reconstruction resumes during the dry season. He insisted that CCECC must provide a written commitment to remove and properly replace the defective binder layer already paid for by the government.

Meanwhile, the Minister commended Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited for their exemplary performance on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway. He noted that the project is nearing completion and meets the ministry’s quality standards.

Umahi also acknowledged the challenges of inherited road projects across the country and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support in revamping Nigeria’s road infrastructure.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to prioritize quality delivery, accountability, and local capacity development in all ongoing road projects nationwide.