Minister of Works, David Umahi, has given China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited a 14-day termination notice over alleged substandard work and poor construction practices on the Aba-bound section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Orji Orji, said Umahi condemned the contractor’s approach during an inspection visit to the 43-kilometre project, which he said was “on the verge of total collapse.”
According to the statement, the minister directed that a formal notice of termination be served on CCECC, citing repeated warnings over their unsatisfactory work. He also ordered that the Port Harcourt-bound section of the expressway be removed from the company’s contract and re-awarded to a more competent firm.
Umahi stressed that laying a binder on the road without adequate preparation was unacceptable, warning that the government would not tolerate substandard road construction.
During the visit on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Umahi expressed disappointment at the company’s refusal to comply with new construction codes designed to ensure durable road infrastructure across the country.
He said, “If you go to the Port Harcourt end, which they handled about two years ago, the entire road has almost totally failed. We have written to them to carry out maintenance, but they have refused. I have to take responsibility and act. The Port Harcourt-bound section will be descoped from their contract and given to qualified indigenous contractors who can start work immediately.
“For the site currently handled by CCECC, they will receive a 14-day termination notice. If after that period they fail to mill out and replace the binder properly, the project will be terminated. They must commit in writing to fix the problem at their own cost.”
Meanwhile, the Minister commended the progress made by Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Section II of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, from Umuahia Tower to the Aba Rail/Road Crossing in Abia State.
He said the 56-kilometre project, which has reached 85 per cent completion, stands out as one of the ministry’s best-performing sites. Umahi also praised the project controller, urging him to inspect all federal road projects in Abia State weekly to ensure quality and timely completion.
