The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially terminated the 43-kilometre Port Harcourt–Aba Road project previously awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) due to what it described as unsatisfactory project performance. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this announcement on Sunday while addressing journalists shortly after he inspected the highway project. Umahi expressed the government’s disappointment, emphasizing that the project’s slow progress and poor execution standards were unacceptable for such a vital infrastructure connecting two major commercial hubs in southern Nigeria. According to the minister, the Port Harcourt–Aba expressway is a strategic economic route that serves not just Rivers and Abia States but also contributes significantly to trade and transportation across the South-South and South-East regions. Umahi stressed that the federal government cannot continue to tolerate inefficiency, especially when it concerns key national projects aimed at improving mobility, commerce, and safety. He further revealed that the termination of the CCECC contract was in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and quality delivery in road construction. “We have given ample time for the contractor to meet the set milestones, but the results have been below expectations,” he stated. Umahi added that the Ministry of Works will re-award the project to a more competent construction company capable of meeting the government’s standards and deadlines. He reassured citizens that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to transforming Nigeria’s road network and ensuring that contractors deliver value for taxpayers’ money. The minister’s visit also highlighted ongoing challenges such as flooding, drainage system failures, and substandard materials that have contributed to the project’s setbacks. He assured that the government will introduce stricter monitoring mechanisms for all future road projects to prevent similar lapses. This move is part of a broader national infrastructure reform drive aimed at boosting transportation efficiency, supporting regional integration, and fostering economic growth across Nigeria.
