Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has ordered the immediate issuance of a 14-day termination notice to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over what he described as substandard work and the near-collapse of the Port Harcourt–Aba Road.
Umahi issued the directive during an inspection of federal road projects in Rivers State, expressing anger over the poor state of the 43-kilometre dual carriageway. He accused the Chinese construction firm of disregarding engineering standards despite repeated warnings from the Ministry.
Standing on a visibly damaged stretch of the highway, the Minister said the project—inherited from the previous administration—has become an embarrassment.
“We are at the Port Harcourt-bound Aba route being constructed by CCECC, which is on the verge of total collapse. This job was inherited, and since we came on board, we’ve been putting in funds to complete one carriageway,” Umahi said.
He explained that the Ministry had agreed with CCECC to use concrete on the shoulders and asphalt on the main carriageway to ensure durability. However, the company allegedly ignored those specifications, laying binder courses over long sections without completing the shoulders or applying the final wear coat—a shortcut that has already caused failures in portions finished two years ago.
After issuing what he said were more than 20 official warnings, Umahi announced that the Port Harcourt-bound section would be removed from CCECC’s contract and reassigned to competent indigenous contractors who can deliver quality results.
He warned that CCECC must correct the defects at its own cost or risk a nationwide shutdown of its ongoing projects.
“I will direct the Ministry to scout for very competent indigenous contractors to handle the Port Harcourt-bound lane,” he said. “If CCECC fails to mill out the defective binder and replace it, they will face sanctions, including the termination of all their contracts nationwide.”
The Minister also revealed plans to publish all official correspondence between the Ministry and CCECC to maintain transparency and safeguard public funds. He stressed that the government would not tolerate any form of sabotage against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s infrastructure renewal agenda.
Umahi further directed the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State to issue the formal termination notice, complete with all documented warnings, to CCECC’s head office before Wednesday.
What You Should Know
Dave Umahi’s tough stance against CCECC marks a rare rebuke of one of Nigeria’s most prominent construction firms.
His order to terminate the Port Harcourt–Aba Road contract highlights the government’s growing insistence on quality delivery and accountability in public infrastructure projects under President Tinubu’s administration.
