The Federal Government has warned that it will sanction contractors handling projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme who fail to meet agreed delivery timelines, amid growing concerns over delays in housing construction across the country.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, issued the warning during an inspection visit to the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Katsina State, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of ongoing work on some sections of the project.
He stated that contracts under the programme are legally binding and must be executed in line with agreed specifications and schedules. According to him, contractors who abandon sites or fail to complete projects within stipulated timelines without formally requesting extensions or variations will be held accountable.
The minister further stressed that any contractor facing genuine challenges is expected to notify the ministry through proper channels, adding that failure to comply with due process would attract sanctions under existing contract management regulations.
As part of efforts to address widespread delays, Darma said he has directed relevant ministry departments to compile a detailed nationwide report on all ongoing housing projects under the programme. The report will capture contract award dates, project timelines, and current levels of completion to help guide enforcement decisions.
He noted that the report is expected within days, after which the government will take appropriate action against erring contractors to ensure compliance and accelerate project delivery.
Despite the concerns over delays, the minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of completed housing units in Katsina, stating that a technical assessment team will carry out final inspections before certification and handover.
Darma also expressed optimism that a significant portion of ongoing housing projects-estimated between 80 and 90 per cent-would be completed and allocated to beneficiaries before the end of the current administration, as part of efforts to expand affordable housing access nationwide.
