Umahi orders contractor’s arrest over N14bn road project

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Friday ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the company’s failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway despite receiving about N14bn from the Federal Government. Umahi gave the order during an on-the-spot inspe

The Benin-Asaba corridor has recently witnessed severe traffic congestion and hardship for motorists, prompting the federal government to order emergency interventions and a review of road concession arrangements.

By John Alechenu ABUJA — The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has criticised the concessionaire handling the Benin-Asaba Highway over the slow pace of work and ordered the arrest of any contractor found removing asphalt from existing carriageways. Umahi gave the directive on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during an on-