Umahi Orders Arrest of Hartland MD Over N14bn Road Contract, Demands Refund

Works Minister David Umahi has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Ltd over the alleged poor performance of an N14 billion road contract in Delta State.

Umahi issued the directive on Wednesday during an inspection of road projects along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor. He said Hartland had completed only about 40 per cent of an 11-kilometre stretch despite receiving funds for the project.

The contract covers the road from Summit Junction to the head bridge, including channelisation and hydraulic structures. Umahi said the contractor had previously been contacted over its return to the site but had failed to meet the agreed obligations.

“I’ve called the MD to discuss their return to the site. I am going to look for him and have him arrested,” Umahi said, directing the ministry’s controller to locate the company executive.

The minister also ordered officials to begin steps to recover money already paid to Hartland. He directed the ministry to call up the company’s advance payment guarantee and write to the banks involved, while also ordering an audit of the contractor’s payment records and certificates across all its projects.

Umahi described the company’s performance as unacceptable and ordered officials to immediately fill both sides of the head bridge approach. He warned that Hartland would face sanctions if the audit established that it failed to meet its contractual obligations.

The inspection also turned the minister’s attention to the Second Niger Bridge, where he expressed anger over the reported removal of bolts, steel members and expansion joints. He warned that continued vandalism could threaten the safety of the bridge and create a potentially catastrophic situation.

Umahi ordered immediate repairs to the damaged components and directed the installation of solar-powered lighting and CCTV cameras. He said designated ministry officials and security agencies should have access to the surveillance feeds, while remedial work would also begin on erosion damage observed around the bridge.