Umahi Orders Arrest Of Hartland MD Over ₦14bn Benin Onitsha Road Contract

Umahi Orders Arrest of Hartland MD Over ₦14bn Benin Onitsha Road Contract Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the arrest of the Managing Director of Hartland Nigeria Limited over the company’s alleged failure to complete an 11-kilometre section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway. The minister reportedly issued the directive after expressing concerns over the contractor’s handling of the road project, despite the company allegedly receiving about ₦14 billion for the contract. The affected section of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway is among the major road corridors connecting communities and commercial centres in southern Nigeria. Umahi’s directive reflects the Federal Government’s growing scrutiny of contractors handling major infrastructure projects, particularly where significant public funds have been released without corresponding progress. The minister has previously warned contractors handling federal road projects that failure to meet agreed contractual obligations could attract sanctions. The circumstances surrounding the alleged non-performance and the next steps following the arrest directive are expected to be clarified by the relevant authorities. The development comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to accelerate road construction and rehabilitation projects across the country.