EFCC probes abandoned N14bn Asaba-Onitsha road project

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has opened an investigation into an allegedly abandoned 11-kilometre section of the Summit Junction-Asaba-Onitsha Head Bridge Road in Delta State, after about N14 billion was reportedly paid to the contractor.

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A serious investigation has commenced on the matter. Our crack investigators had been there to verify what is happening. I can’t disclose more than that because the investigation is still at an early stage.

An EFCC official said investigators had visited the project site to establish its condition. “A serious investigation has commenced on the matter. Our crack investigators had been there to verify what is happening. I can’t disclose more than that because the investigation is still at an early stage,” the official said.

The inquiry followed a petition from Rev. David Ugolor, an activist and publisher of The Common Good Letter. He asked the anti-graft agency to examine the project’s award, funding, execution and supervision through an independent process.

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I write in my capacity as Publisher of The Common Good Letter to request an urgent, independent and coordinated investigation into serious allegations concerning the award, financing, execution and supervision of the approximately 11-kilometre road project extending from Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, to the Onitsha Head Bridge.

Works Minister David Umahi had raised concerns on Aug. 28 about the contractor’s alleged failure to deliver the road despite receiving about N14 billion. During an inspection along the Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha corridor in August, Umahi reportedly said Hartland Nigeria Limited had completed only about 40% of the project. He also threatened to seek the arrest of the company’s managing director and called for scrutiny of certificates connected with the work and recovery of public funds where necessary.

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These statements raise substantial public-interest questions that should not be resolved through public declarations alone. They require a professional investigation based on contracts, procurement records, payment documents, engineering measurements, bank guarantees and evidence obtained from all affected parties.

Ugolor said the investigation should rely on contracts, procurement records, payment documents, engineering measurements, bank guarantees and evidence from all affected parties. “This petition does not allege that Hartland Nigeria Limited, its directors, any public officer, bank, consultant or other person has committed an offence,” he said. “It asks the competent authorities to determine the facts.”

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This petition does not allege that Hartland Nigeria Limited, its directors, any public officer, bank, consultant or other person has committed an offence.