The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to Chinese engineers handling the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway over the use of poor-quality materials in the ongoing construction.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, expressed outrage during an inspection visit to the Aba section of the road on Sunday.
He accused the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) of using old binders for the project, even after the government had fully paid for new ones.
Umahi directed the company to immediately remove the old materials and begin repairs without delay.
He warned that failure to comply would lead to arrests of the engineers involved and a possible termination of all CCECC contracts in Nigeria.
“The site (Aba section) handled by CCECC, they should issue them 14 days notice of termination of this job… If they don’t do that, I’ll shut down all their projects in Nigeria… I’ll come back and I will arrest the Chinese people that are on this project because they have taken the money,” Umahi warned.
The Former Ebonyi State Governor also announced that the Port Harcourt section of the same project, being handled by CCECC, has been terminated due to poor workmanship.
According to him, the affected 43-kilometre stretch will be reassigned to competent indigenous contractors who will deliver quality work.
“This job, 43 kilometers, from Port Harcourt to Aba, is an inherited project… Their method of construction is a very serious source of concern,” Umahi said, adding that the ministry will identify new contractors to handle the Port Harcourt-bound lane.
Umahi further directed Julius Berger, the firm managing the Bodo–Bonny Coastal Highway, to install solar lights, CCTV cameras, and plant trees along the road to improve security and beautification.
He clarified that the installations would be funded from the project’s contingency budget and not increase its cost.
The minister, who disclosed that each kilometre of the Bodo–Bonny road costs N7.4 billion, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being executed by Julius Berger.
However, Minister Umahi commended RCC for its progress at the Eleme section of the East–West Road, and assured that all major road projects in the Niger Delta would be completed and commissioned in the first quarter of next year.