PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Nigeria’s minister of works, Dave Umahi, has directed the immediate issuance of a 14-day termination notice to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), accusing the contractor of “substandard work and the near-collapse” of the Port Harcourt–Aba dual carriageway.
Speaking during an inspection tour of federal projects in Rivers State, Umahi said he was frustrated by the deteriorating condition of the 43-kilometre corridor and alleged that the firm had ignored engineering directives despite repeated warnings.
Standing on a visibly distressed stretch, he called the situation “an embarrassment”.
“We are at the Port Harcourt-bound Aba route being constructed by CCECC, which is on the verge of total collapse,” Umahi said.
“This job was inherited, and since we came on board, we’ve been putting in funds to complete one carriageway.”
The minister said the ministry and CCECC had agreed to a mixed-pavement solution — concrete on the shoulders and asphalt on the main carriageway — to improve durability.
He alleged the company deviated from the approved sequence by laying binder courses over long sections without first completing the shoulders or applying the final wear coat.
According to him, portions finished two years ago have already failed as a result.
Umahi said the ministry had issued “more than 20 official warnings” and, in response to continued non-compliance, had de-scoped the Port Harcourt-bound lane from CCECC’s contract.
He indicated the government would reassign the section to “very competent indigenous contractors” capable of delivering to standard.
“I will direct the ministry to scout for very competent indigenous contractors to handle the Port Harcourt-bound lane,” he said.
The minister warned that unless CCECC mills out the defective binder and replaces it in line with specifications, the firm would face sanctions “including the termination of all their contracts nationwide”.
He added that the ministry would publish its correspondence with the company “to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds”, insisting the administration would not tolerate any act that undermines President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure renewal agenda.
Umahi instructed the federal controller of works in Rivers State to issue the formal 14-day termination notice — attaching the documented warnings — to CCECC’s head office before Wednesday.
The Port Harcourt–Aba route is a key economic artery linking Rivers and Abia states. While the project predates the current administration, Umahi said the ministry has continued to release funds to advance one carriageway.
His latest directive underscores a tougher enforcement stance on quality control, sequencing and workmanship on federal road schemes.
CCECC had not immediately responded publicly to the minister’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
