The Federal Government has warned contractors handling projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Estates programme that it will revoke contracts of firms that fail to deliver projects according to agreed timelines.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Muttaka Rabe Darma, issued the warning during an inspection visit to one of the housing projects in Damaturu, Yobe State.
The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work at the site, noting that the project had recorded only about 40 per cent completion two years after commencement despite an earlier agreement requiring delivery within four months.
According to him, the housing project is part of the Renewed Hope Estates Housing Programme initiated by the Federal Government in 2024 to address housing challenges and expand access to affordable homes across Nigeria.
“This is one of the Renewed Hope Estates Housing Programmes started by the Federal Government in 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony here in Yobe State was held on May 24, 2024, and exactly two years later, the project is only about 40 per cent completed,” Darma said.
“The contractors signed an agreement to complete the project within four months after commencement, but what we are seeing here is pathetic and cannot be tolerated.”
The minister said the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development would carry out a nationwide review of all contractors handling similar projects and sanction firms failing to meet agreed obligations.
He stressed that underperforming contractors should not expect leniency from the ministry, insisting that the government would not continue with business as usual.
“We will investigate what is happening and terminate the contracts of contractors who are unable to perform. It will not be business as usual in this ministry,” he said.
Darma maintained that contractors are expected to respect contractual agreements and follow established procedures if challenges arise during project implementation.
He explained that claims of inadequate funding cannot justify project delays or abandonment where contractors fail to formally apply for contract variations or extensions.
According to him, contractors facing operational challenges must engage the ministry through proper channels instead of allowing projects to stall.
The minister also revealed that the Yobe housing project is valued at over N5 billion, warning that the government would not allow such a significant public investment to be wasted.
The Renewed Hope Housing Estates programme is one of the Federal Government’s flagship housing initiatives aimed at increasing housing delivery and reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit through strategic infrastructure and residential development projects across states.
The latest warning signals a tougher stance by the government as it seeks to accelerate project completion and ensure timely delivery of affordable housing projects nationwide.
