Minister Faults Delays In Katsina Renewed Hope Housing Project

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the execution of the Renewed Hope Cities housing project in Katsina State, warning that contractors who fail to meet contractual obligations may face sanctions.

Darma spoke during an inspection of the project site, where he criticised some contractors for failing to complete projects awarded in December 2024 despite a six-month delivery timeline.

He noted that while some contractors had delivered parts of the project, including electrification works and a 128-unit housing scheme, others had yet to complete road infrastructure and housing units more than a year and a half after award.

“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,” he said.

The minister said some contractors blamed funding constraints for the delays but insisted that such excuses did not justify breach of contract terms.

“If a contractor cannot complete a project within the agreed period for whatever reason, he is expected to return to the ministry and formally seek an extension of time. None of them did that, and as far as we are concerned, they have violated the contract agreement,” he said.

Darma directed ministry officials to convene a meeting with all contractors handling the project and formally communicate the government’s dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work.

He also ordered a comprehensive report detailing each contract, including award dates, timelines, levels of completion, and responsible contractors.

“I want a detailed report on every contract here. We need to know who the contractors are, the terms of the contracts, the duration and the percentage of completion. That report should reach me by Tuesday or Wednesday,” he instructed.

The minister also raised concerns over signs of deterioration in some structures, stressing that substandard work would not be accepted.

“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.

Despite the setbacks, Darma commended the quality of some of the buildings inspected, noting that no structural cracks were observed in one of the housing units.

He added that a technical assessment team would carry out a full evaluation before final approval and handover.

Darma disclosed that the ministry is currently implementing over 15,000 housing units nationwide under various arrangements, including direct government funding, public-private partnerships, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and the Federal Housing Authority.

He, however, cautioned against relying on paper reports, saying actual site verification in Katsina revealed discrepancies in reported completion levels.

While officials claimed 250 units were completed, he said only about 130 appeared fully finished during inspection.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing and delivering the projects before the end of the current administration.

“I will put in my time, intellect, effort and energy to make sure these houses are completed. Before the end of this administration, I want to see between 80 and 90 percent of these projects completed and delivered to people. Housing is meant for human beings, not rodents and animals,” he said.