The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, has warned contractors handling projects under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme that failure to meet contractual deadlines could attract sanctions.
Darma issued the warning on Sunday after inspecting the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Katsina State, expressing concern over the slow pace of work on some housing projects across the country.
He stated that contractors who fail to complete projects within agreed timelines without formally seeking contract extensions or adjustments are in breach of their agreements with the government.
According to the minister, contracts are legally binding and parties must adhere strictly to their terms. He noted that any contractor unable to meet a deadline due to unforeseen circumstances is expected to notify the ministry and obtain the necessary approvals rather than abandoning the project.
To address the situation, Darma said he had directed officials of the ministry to compile a comprehensive report detailing all ongoing contracts, including award dates, completion timelines and the current level of execution.
He explained that the report would form the basis for any disciplinary action against contractors found to have violated contractual obligations.
The minister also dismissed suggestions that delays in government payments justify the suspension of work, insisting that existing contract agreements do not permit contractors to halt projects on such grounds.
While inspecting completed housing units at the Katsina estate, Darma expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction but noted that technical experts would still conduct a detailed assessment before final approval.
He further expressed optimism that between 80 and 90 per cent of housing projects being executed under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme nationwide would be completed and allocated to beneficiaries before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Katsina Renewed Hope Housing Estate, launched by the Federal Government in May 2024, consists of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom housing units designed to provide affordable homeownership opportunities through mortgage, rent-to-own and outright purchase schemes.
Darma emphasised that the programme is aimed not only at constructing houses but also at ensuring they are delivered to Nigerians who need them.