The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the Renewed Hope Cities housing project in Katsina State, warning that contractors who fail to meet contractual obligations could face sanctions.
Speaking during an inspection of the project site, the minister criticized contractors handling various components of the housing scheme for failing to deliver projects within agreed timelines.
Contractors Accused of Violating Contract Terms
Darma noted that several contracts awarded in December 2024 were expected to be completed within six months, but some contractors have yet to finish their assignments more than one and a half years later.
While commending contractors who successfully delivered projects such as the electrification component and a 128-unit housing estate, the minister expressed concern over delays affecting road infrastructure and other housing developments.
“It is not acceptable for a contractor to sign an agreement with a specific completion timeline and then exceed that period by more than three times without obtaining an extension,” he said.
Funding Challenges Not an Excuse
According to the minister, some contractors blamed inadequate funding for the delays. However, he insisted that such explanations do not exempt contractors from complying with contractual requirements.
He explained that contractors facing challenges are expected to formally apply for an extension of time through the ministry.
“If a contractor cannot complete a project within the agreed timeline, the proper procedure is to return to the ministry and request an extension. None of them did that, and they have therefore violated the terms of their contracts,” Darma stated.
Ministry Orders Comprehensive Contract Review
The minister directed officials of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to immediately convene a meeting with all contractors involved in the project.
He also ordered the preparation of a detailed report covering contract award dates, project durations, completion levels, and the identities of the contractors responsible for each assignment.
“I want a comprehensive report on every contract at this site. We need to know who was awarded the contracts, the duration, terms, and percentage of completion. The report should reach my office by Tuesday or Wednesday,” he instructed.
Government Rejects Substandard Housing Delivery
Darma expressed concern over signs of deterioration observed in some structures, warning that contractors would not be allowed to hand over defective projects.
According to him, any identified defects must be corrected before the government accepts the housing units.
“If we take over these houses and discover defects, we will reject them until the contractors rectify every issue,” he said.
Quality Assessment to Continue
Despite concerns over delays, the minister commended the construction quality of some of the housing units inspected.
He disclosed that he did not observe visible structural cracks in the buildings visited but emphasized that a technical assessment team would carry out a comprehensive evaluation before final acceptance.
“From my observations, the construction quality appears satisfactory. However, experts will conduct a detailed technical assessment before any handover takes place,” he added.
Over 15,000 Housing Units Under Construction Nationwide
Darma revealed that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is currently implementing more than 15,000 housing units across Nigeria through multiple financing arrangements.
These include direct government funding, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
Minister Questions Reported Completion Figures
The minister cautioned against relying solely on official progress reports, noting discrepancies between reported and actual project completion rates at the Katsina site.
While ministry officials indicated that 250 housing units had been completed, Darma said physical inspection suggested that only about 130 units were fully finished.
Commitment to Deliver Housing Before End of Administration
Darma assured Nigerians that the ministry remains committed to completing and allocating housing units to beneficiaries before the end of the current administration.
He pledged to devote the necessary time, expertise, and resources to ensure the success of the Renewed Hope Cities programme.
“I will commit my time, intellect, effort, and energy to ensuring these projects are completed. Before the end of this administration, I want to see between 80 and 90 percent of these housing projects delivered to Nigerians. Housing is meant for people, not rodents and animals,” he said.
