Housing Ministry Seeks Professional Oversight to Improve Project Delivery

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is considering closer cooperation with the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria to strengthen the planning, monitoring and delivery of housing projects across the country.

The proposed collaboration followed a meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, and a delegation from the institute.

Darma said the engagement provided the ministry with a clearer understanding of CIPMN’s statutory responsibilities and the importance of professional project management to national development.

According to the minister, effective project management is essential to the successful implementation of housing programmes because the sector involves numerous professionals, contractors and skilled workers.

Housing projects require the coordinated contributions of architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, builders, artisans and other practitioners. Darma said proper planning and supervision were consequently necessary to achieve the intended results.

He explained that his academic and professional background had exposed him to project-management practice and strengthened his belief in its relevance to public-sector development.

The minister said Nigeria must pursue excellence in the execution of public projects and ensure that government investments produce measurable outcomes.

Darma also indicated that he would review the legislation establishing CIPMN, including the institute’s present institutional placement.

He observed that its mandate was closely connected to housing, construction and the wider built environment, where project coordination and professional accountability are particularly important.

Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of CIPMN, Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe, said the institute was established by law to regulate and professionalise project-management practice in Nigeria.

Mbadiwe explained that CIPMN’s responsibilities include ensuring that people entrusted with managing projects possess the appropriate skills, competence and professional qualifications.

The institute disclosed that it had worked with the National Universities Commission to develop a core curriculum for project-management education.

It has also undertaken capacity-building programmes involving the Industrial Training Fund, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Lagos State Government.

CIPMN expressed its readiness to support the housing ministry by strengthening the capacity of officials responsible for project planning, implementation, coordination and monitoring.

A structured partnership could help the ministry address recurring problems such as delayed delivery, weak supervision, cost overruns and abandoned housing projects.

However, the effectiveness of the collaboration will depend on the adoption of measurable delivery timelines, transparent reporting systems and clear accountability for contractors and project managers.

Professional project management could also improve value for public funds and accelerate the delivery of homes and supporting infrastructure under federal housing programmes.

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Contractors handling federal housing projects across the country have been put on notice: deliver on schedule or face blacklisting, termination, and possible prosecution.

The warning came from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, during a meeting in Abuja with firms engaged in ongoing housing projects. The session, also attended by directors of key project departments, was convened to fast-track delivery and enforce accountability.

Belgore declared that any contractor failing to meet obligations risked sanctions, including recovery of mobilisation funds, forfeiture of guarantees, formal queries, blacklisting, and referral to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“This forum is a clear signal that the era of excuses is over. Timely delivery is not negotiable. The government will safeguard its investments and demand full value for every project,” he warned.

While assuring performing contractors of prompt payment once due processes are concluded, Belgore disclosed plans for ministry officials to visit selected sites to verify progress and address legitimate concerns raised by firms.

Director of Public Buildings, Pemi Temitope, explained that the meeting was designed to renew contractors’ commitment and strengthen compliance. He expressed concern that several firms, despite receiving mobilisation funds since 2024, had yet to apply for valuation of works a critical contractual step for monitoring.

Some contractors, however, cited delayed payments, adverse weather, and site vandalism as key challenges affecting delivery timelines.

Belgore reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that affordable and accessible housing for Nigerians can only be achieved through discipline, transparency, and timely project completion.

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