By Our Correspondent
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Dr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on the Renewed Hope Housing Estate project located near the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina (UMYUK).
The minister made his position known during an inspection visit to the project site on Sunday, where he lamented that several contracts awarded in December 2024 for completion within six months were yet to be delivered despite the passage of more than one and a half years.
During the inspection, contractors briefed the minister on the status of the project. They disclosed that K4 Engineering Services had substantially completed the housing units assigned to it, while another contractor handling residential structures was also nearing completion. However, contracts relating to road construction, water supply and other critical infrastructure were still behind schedule.
Darma described the delays as unacceptable, stressing that contractors must be held accountable for the terms and timelines stipulated in their agreements.
“It is unacceptable for a contractor to sign an agreement to complete a project within a specified period and then abandon the work without seeking an extension or providing reasons for the delay,” he said.
The minister noted that contractors facing challenges such as funding constraints or unforeseen circumstances should formally apply for extensions in line with established procurement and contract management procedures.
He directed contractors and ministry officials supervising the project to submit a comprehensive report on all contracts at the site. According to him, the report should include the names of contractors, contract award dates, completion timelines, current project status and percentage of work completed.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the progress of the project, Darma replied: “No, I am not satisfied. Anyone who signs a contract has a responsibility to comply with the conditions agreed upon.”
On possible sanctions against defaulting contractors, the minister said the Federal Government would review the reports before taking appropriate decisions.
Despite his concerns over delays, Darma commended the apparent quality of the housing units already completed. He said preliminary observations did not reveal signs of structural defects such as cracked walls or poor workmanship in the buildings he inspected.
He, however, added that independent building professionals would be deployed to conduct detailed integrity assessments before the government formally accepts the houses from contractors.
The minister further stated that the Federal Government is implementing similar housing schemes across several states through different financing models, including public-private partnerships and collaborations with housing development agencies.
According to him, initial reports indicate that more than 15,000 housing units are currently under construction nationwide. He said he would undertake inspections across the country to verify the actual number of completed units before an official nationwide assessment is released.
Speaking specifically on the Katsina project, Darma said he was informed that 250 housing units were being developed under the scheme. However, his inspection revealed that only about 130 units had been fully completed, while work on the remaining houses was still ongoing.
He reiterated that the government would not accept substandard or incomplete housing units, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to quality assurance, strict contract compliance and value for public funds.
