{
  "id": 3995443,
  "title": "Umahi wants contractor arrested for failing to complete road despite receiving N14 billion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/umahi-wants-contractor-arrested-for-failing-to-complete-road-despite",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T17:05:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Premium Times",
    "slug": "premium-times",
    "url": "https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/905982-umahi-wants-contractor-arrested-for-failing-to-complete-road-despite-receiving-n14-billion.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Benin-Asaba corridor has been experiencing severe traffic congestion and hardship for motorists. The federal government has ordered emergency interventions and a review of road concession arrangements.\n\nMinister of Works, Senator David Umahi, sanctioned Hartland Construction Company and ordered the arrest of its Managing Director over incomplete performance despite receiving funding. Umahi expressed anger over the severe traffic congestion and hardship inflicted on commuters due to slow progress on the Benin-Onitsha Expressway. According to Punch Nigeria, the Federal Government paid Hartland Construction Company to complete 11 kilometres of road, but the contractor executed only about 40 per cent of the agreed scope.\n\nUmahi directed ministry directors to take immediate punitive measures, including the recovery of funds and the review of all payment certificates issued to the contractor. The Minister reportedly said he would look for the Managing Director to arrest him.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "VIDEO: Umahi orders arrest of contractor over Benin-Onitsha road delays",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/video-umahi-orders-arrest-of-contractor-over-benin-onitsha-road-delays",
        "published": "2026-08-28T15:00:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Umahi orders arrest of contractor over abandoned Asaba-Onitsha road",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/umahi-orders-arrest-of-contractor-over-abandoned-asaba-onitsha-road",
        "published": "2026-08-28T17:14:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Benin-Asaba Road: Umahi gives CCECC 14-day deadline as motorists lament gridlock",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/benin-asaba-road-umahi-gives-ccecc-14-day-deadline-as-motorists",
        "published": "2026-08-28T17:35:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}