The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has uncovered major discrepancies in official progress reports on the federal government’s Renewed Hope Housing Project in Katsina State, revealing that only about 130 of the 250 housing units reported as completed were actually finished.
During an unannounced inspection of the project site, Darma discovered that official reports submitted to the ministry significantly overstated the level of progress achieved on the housing development.
According to documents presented to the ministry, 250 housing units had been completed. However, physical verification conducted by the minister showed that only about 130 units were ready for occupation, while the remaining 120 units were still incomplete despite contracts being awarded approximately 18 months ago.
Contractors Miss Deadlines by More Than a Year
The housing scheme was awarded in December 2024 with a six-month completion timeline, meaning the projects were expected to be completed by June 2025.
However, more than a year after the deadline, several contractors had yet to complete critical road infrastructure and housing units within the estate.
“It is not good for someone who has signed a contract agreement and said he will finish a project within a specified period, only to delay it for over three times the agreed duration without obtaining an extension,” Darma said during the inspection.
The minister dismissed claims by some contractors that inadequate funding was responsible for the delays, stressing that none of the affected firms formally applied for an extension of time as required under government contract procedures.
“None of them did that, and as far as we are concerned, they have violated the contract agreement,” he stated.
Government Raises Concerns Over Construction Quality
Beyond the discrepancy in completion figures, the inspection also revealed signs of early deterioration in some completed structures, raising concerns about the quality of construction work.
Darma warned that the Federal Government would not accept defective buildings from contractors.
“If we take over these houses and find them in bad shape, we will not accept them. The contractors will be required to fix all defects before handover,” he said.
The minister noted that the findings highlighted the dangers of relying solely on reports submitted from project sites without conducting independent verification exercises.
Comprehensive Audit Ordered
Following the inspection, Darma directed ministry officials to convene an urgent meeting with all contractors handling the project.
He also ordered a comprehensive audit of the contracts, including details of contractors involved, dates of mobilisation, contract terms, funds released, project timelines and actual completion percentages.
The report is expected to be submitted to his office before the middle of the week.
Renewed Hope Housing Programme Targets 15,000 Units Nationwide
The Katsina housing scheme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which aims to deliver more than 15,000 housing units across Nigeria through direct government funding, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
With the current administration approaching the final phase of its tenure, the challenges observed in Katsina underscore wider implementation issues affecting one of the government’s flagship housing initiatives.
Darma Vows to Complete Projects Before End of Administration
Despite the setbacks, the minister reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the successful delivery of the housing projects.
He disclosed that a technical assessment team would conduct a detailed evaluation of all work completed at the site to verify compliance with required standards before any handover takes place.
“Before the end of this administration, I want to see between 80 and 90 per cent of these projects completed and delivered to people. Housing is meant for human beings, not rodents and animals,” Darma said.
The Federal Government has continued to position the Renewed Hope Housing Programme as a key strategy for addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, promoting homeownership and stimulating economic activities within the construction sector.
