Housing projects: FG moves against defaulting contractors

The federal government has vowed to sanction contractors handling projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme who fail to meet contractual obligations, amid concerns over delays in the execution of housing projects across the country. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on some projects during an inspection of the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Katsina. He warned that contractors who abandon projects or fail to complete them within agreed timelines without formally seeking extensions or contract variations would be held accountable. The minister said contracts are legally binding agreements, and contractors are required to notify the ministry of any challenges that could affect project delivery. Failure to follow due process, he said, could attract sanctions in line with contract management regulations. To assess the extent of delays, Dangiwa said he had directed ministry officials to compile a comprehensive report on all ongoing housing projects nationwide. The report will detail contract award dates, project timelines and current levels of completion. The minister disclosed that the report is expected within days, after which appropriate measures would be taken against erring contractors. Despite concerns over delays, Dangiwa expressed satisfaction with the quality of completed units at the Katsina estate, noting that a technical team would conduct a final assessment before certification. He also expressed optimism that between 80 and 90 per cent of housing units currently under construction nationwide would be completed and allocated to beneficiaries before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.