The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi (CON), has issued a stern warning to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, over what he described as “grossly substandard” construction methodology on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.

This was contained in a statement on Monday signed by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works.

The statement reads partly: “The Honourable Minister, who was on a routine supervision of ongoing road projects within the South South and South East on Sunday, 19th October 2025, expressed displeasure over the recalcitrance of the contractor in complying with the new construction codes and regulations aimed at building enduring road infrastructure for the nation.

“If you get to the Port Harcourt end, which they did about two years ago, the entire road has almost totally failed. We have been writing them to maintain this road. They have refused, and so I have to take responsibility and take decision.

“Number one, the Port Harcourt bound is descoped — no longer going to be done by CCECC. I will direct the Ministry of Works to scout for very qualified indigenous contractors to handle the Port Harcourt bound. They should be contractors that will start work immediately while we sort out funds for them.

“Number two, for the site handled by CCECC, they should issue them 14 days’ notice of termination of the job. After 14 days, if they fail to mill out the binder and replace it properly, the job will be terminated. They have to maintain the sections done and commit in writing to redoing the binder at their own cost.”

According to the statement, Senator Umahi ordered that the Port Harcourt-bound carriageway of the 43-kilometre Aba–Port Harcourt section be descoped from the CCECC contract and reawarded to a competent indigenous firm capable of meeting the new construction standards.

He described CCECC’s performance as “technically unacceptable” and warned that the era of contractors ignoring specifications under the Renewed Hope infrastructure reforms was over.

Umahi, who personally inspected the project, said the Federal Ministry of Works would no longer tolerate any contractor laying binder without wearing course, describing such practice as a deliberate compromise on quality.

The Works Minister also inspected the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba Rail/Road Crossing) handled by Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited, where he commended the progress and quality of work.

He noted that the 56-kilometre project had reached 85 per cent completion, describing Arab Contractors as one of the top-performing firms under the Ministry’s supervision.

Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State to conduct weekly inspections of all Federal Government road projects within the state to identify potential cost escalations or structural defects before they worsen.

Speaking on the wider context of road rehabilitation nationwide, the Minister lamented the poor condition of inherited projects across the federation but assured Nigerians that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was committed to reversing the decay through targeted funding and strict project monitoring.