The Minister of Works, Senator 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 the “total failure” of the Aba-bound lane of the Port Harcourt–Aba Road in Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, October 19, 2025, during an inspection visit to the 43-kilometre federal road project, the minister expressed deep disappointment over the poor quality of work and the contractor’s refusal to comply with multiple directives issued by the Ministry.
The Minister revealed that credible reports from field engineers indicated that the Aba-bound carriageway was “at the verge of total collapse,” despite ongoing construction funded by the federal government. He faulted CCECC’s construction method, lamenting that the company had laid binder asphalt over a stretch of about 30 kilometres without completing the shoulders or applying the final wearing course — a practice he said poses a grave danger to motorists.
“We have issued warnings to CCECC more than 20 times,” Umahi said. “They have consistently refused to obey instructions. The section they did two years ago has almost completely failed. I take responsibility and I am making a decision today — the Port Harcourt-bound lane is discontinued; CCECC will no longer handle it.”
The minister directed the Ministry of Works to immediately engage qualified indigenous contractors to take over the Port Harcourt-bound section, assuring that funding will be made available for the new contractors to begin work without delay.
Umahi further warned that if CCECC fails to comply with the 14-day notice to mill and replace the defective binder at its own cost, he would not hesitate to shut down all of the company’s ongoing projects across Nigeria.
“If they don’t act immediately, I will ensure their projects nationwide are shut down,” he warned. “They must maintain what they have done and commit in writing to fixing the binder failure. If they refuse, I will get their Chinese engineers arrested.”
The minister vowed to publish all correspondences and warnings issued to CCECC to show Nigerians the efforts made by the government to ensure accountability. He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to quality infrastructure delivery will not be sabotaged by contractors who compromise standards.
The Port Harcourt–Aba Road project, spanning 43 kilometres, is one of the federal road projects inherited by the current administration and has faced repeated delays and quality concerns since commencement.
Recall that Gov Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State recently terminated the CCECC contract for the renovation of the state Secretariate complex awarded by the outgone Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas and the company asked to refund the mobilisation fee of twenty billion Naira already paid to it.
