Umahi Issues Termination Notice to Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway Contractor for Non-Performance

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has recently issued a 14-day termination notice to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the contractor in charge of constructing the Abia section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway.

The decision was made after Umahi expressed disappointment in the contractor’s non-performance during a site inspection.

The Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji, released a statement detailing the reasons for the termination notice.

Umahi has directed the Acting Controller of Rivers State to follow due process and issue a 14-day notice to the contractor.

Failure to mobilize to the site within the notice period will result in contract termination.

Umahi also observed that the delay in project execution by contractors is one of the reasons for the escalation of road project costs.

Some contractors have developed a habit of staying on projects for years and then requesting an increase in project costs, which ultimately prevents projects from being completed due to limited funds.

As a result, the Minister of Works has decided to follow due process in terminating all non-performing contracts nationwide.

Contractors are warned to change their tactics and understand that the Federal Government is determined to address the issues caused by bad roads in Nigeria.