The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has ordered the immediate issuance of a 14-day termination notice to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) following what he described as substandard work and the near-collapse of the Port Harcourt–Aba section of the East-West Road.
Umahi issued the directive during an inspection tour of the project expressing strong dissatisfaction with the company’s performance.
According to the Minister, the 43-kilometer dual carriageway—an inherited project—has faced numerous setbacks due to CCECC’s alleged failure to comply with engineering standards despite repeated warnings from the Ministry.
“We are at the Port Harcourt-bound Aba route being constructed by CCECC, and the project is on the verge of total collapse. Since assuming office, we have continued to release funds to complete at least one carriageway,” Umahi said.
He explained that the Ministry had previously directed that concrete be used on the inner and outer shoulders while asphalt was applied on the 7.3-meter main carriageway for durability. However, CCECC reportedly ignored these specifications, laying binder courses over long stretches without completing the shoulders or applying the final wear coat.
“We’ve issued over 20 warnings to CCECC about the risks of placing binders without shoulders or the final wear coat. Unfortunately, the Port Harcourt section they completed about two years ago has already failed completely,” Umahi lamented.
The Minister announced that the Ministry would remove the Port Harcourt-bound section from CCECC’s contract and reassign it to competent indigenous contractors who would begin work immediately.
“I’m directing that capable local contractors take over the Port Harcourt-bound lane. As for CCECC, they will receive a 14-day termination notice. If they fail to replace the defective binder at their expense, we will suspend all their ongoing projects nationwide,” he warned.
