The Federal Government has given the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) a 14-day termination notice over alleged substandard work and poor construction practices on the Aba-Port Harcourt Road section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, who disclosed this during a recent inspection tour of federal road projects across the South-East and South-South, said the decision followed repeated warnings to the contractor over its poor handling of the rehabilitation project.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Orji, the minister faulted the company’s construction approach and described the current state of the Aba-bound lane as “deeply disappointing and unacceptable.”
According to the statement, the Aba-Port Harcourt Road project, officially titled the Rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway (Contract No. 6252), was inherited from the previous administration but has since deteriorated due to poor workmanship and non-compliance with the Ministry’s new construction guidelines.
Umahi Faults CCECC’s Methodology on Aba-Port Harcourt Road
Umahi, visibly displeased during his inspection visit, criticized the methodology adopted by CCECC, saying that the current approach failed to meet Nigeria’s new quality standards for federal road infrastructure.
“If you get to the Port Harcourt end, which was supposedly completed about two years ago, the entire road has almost totally failed,” the minister lamented.
He added that despite several warning letters and directives to maintain the completed sections, the contractor failed to act responsibly.
“I have to take responsibility and make a decision. The Port Harcourt-bound lane will be descoped from CCECC and reawarded to a more competent contractor.
They have been given a 14-day termination notice, and if they fail to mill and replace the defective binder at their own cost, their contract will be terminated,” Umahi declared.
He stressed that no contractor would be allowed to compromise the integrity of federal projects, particularly critical national corridors like the Aba-Port Harcourt Road, which serves as a major gateway for trade, logistics, and passenger movement between the South-East and South-South regions.
FG to Engage Indigenous Contractors for Port Harcourt Section
In a move to ensure the completion of the project without further delays, Umahi directed the Ministry of Works to identify and engage qualified indigenous contractors to handle the Port Harcourt-bound section of the expressway.
He noted that several Nigerian construction firms had demonstrated impressive capacity in ongoing projects across the country and would be prioritized for re-awarded sections of the Aba-Port Harcourt Road project.
“The government is committed to supporting local capacity development in infrastructure delivery. Indigenous contractors who meet our performance benchmarks will take up such critical works immediately,” he said.
Umahi also emphasized that the Federal Government would not hesitate to sanction contractors that fail to adhere to global best practices in road construction.
Arab Contractors Commended for Quality Work on Enugu-Aba Section
During the same inspection tour, the Minister lauded Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited for their high-quality work on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section II, stretching from Umuahia Tower to the Aba Rail/Road crossing in Abia State.
According to the minister, the 56-kilometre project, awarded under Contract No. 6209, has reached 85 percent completion and meets the Ministry’s performance expectations.
“They are among our top-performing contractors. Even beyond completing their section, we want them to maintain the stretch from Aba to Umuahia because of the quality of their work,” Umahi remarked.
He further directed the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State to conduct weekly monitoring visits to all federal road projects within the state to ensure compliance, identify potential problems early, and report any emerging cost implications promptly.
Government’s Renewed Focus on Accountability and Standards
The Minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering durable road networks across Nigeria through strict enforcement of construction standards and accountability mechanisms.
Umahi stressed that the government’s infrastructure policy now places a premium on value for money, durability, and safety, ensuring that public funds are not wasted on substandard projects that fail within a few years.
“Every road we build must stand the test of time. That is the new standard under this administration.
No contractor will hide behind bureaucracy to deliver mediocrity again,” he stated.
Observers note that the Aba-Port Harcourt Road has long been a strategic trade route for the South-East and South-South, linking major economic hubs such as Aba, Umuahia, and Port Harcourt.
Over the years, however, recurring failures on the highway have hindered transportation efficiency and raised concerns about contractor accountability.
FG’s Firm Stance on Aba-Port Harcourt Road Project
With the 14-day termination notice now in effect, the Federal Government’s decisive stance signals a new era of accountability in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
As the Works Ministry pushes for higher standards and greater transparency, stakeholders believe that the outcome of the Aba-Port Harcourt Road project will set a precedent for future public works contracts — ensuring that only competent, quality-driven contractors handle Nigeria’s critical road assets.
